DISCLAIMER: Don't own it if you recognize it. Unfortunately.

AUTHORS NOTE: To say that the response to the last two chapters has been discouraging is an understatement. I did not see it as filler or a horrid waste of time. It is disheartening to say the least. I had felt confident with the time I had put in to those two chapters and with what I had written. I wrote it the way I did because I felt their reactions would have really happened as they viewed the memories, not after the fact. Hoping this one is better.

The Valkyrie

Chapter 19: Marvelous Meetings

Months passed by so quickly. Hermione. Clint and Natasha had settled into a good routine with training. She was pretty proficient with a bow now. It was as if the Valkyrie knew exactly what she needed to do. She could almost keep up with Clint's skill now. Training sessions alternated between archery, hand to hand combat and Nathasha's favorite, bladework.

Harry. Bill and Fleur often joined in her training sessions with dueling. These sessions were incredibly helpful for keeping the Valkyrie's power in check. Clint and Natasha had even started to join in, allowing themselves the opportunity to learn to dodge and increase their reaction times. She had even gotten over her fear of flying now that she had better control. She often had company on her flights, one of her siblings joining her on a broom. Harry loved to rib her about calling him reckless on a broom, when she was the same way with wings.

Almost a month into the training, Clint had shown up injured. Hermione had questioned what had happened, and he and Nat had sat them down and told them about working for S.H.I.E.L.D. Hermione couldn't blame them for keeping their secrets either. But once the air was cleared, they became much closer. MACUSA had finally backed off monitoring Hermione. No one had caught on to them all meeting at Shell Cottage. Unfortunately because of her training, she had lost the job at the bookstore, where her hours had been odd and infrequent. Natasha had helped her find another job as an assistant with Stark Industries.

Occasionally Hermione got the feeling that something was coming. In the past she had seen incidents reported on the muggle news. A seemingly brilliant scientist turned into a large green angry man who reminded her so much of Grawp, who then seemed to disappear into a third world country. A weapons manufacturer being kidnapped and returning. The same man announcing his donning of a metal suit and calling himself Iron Man. She had to give him props for color choices, it was very Gryffindor. That man was now her new boss. The Valkyrie pushing her to be prepared, she trained harder, longer.

XXXX

Now that the others were aware of where she had been living, and Clint and Nat knew just how special she was, they determined she needed to move somewhere more secure. The two had scoured the city for a safer place before an apartment became available at a building where several S.H.I.E.L.D agents lived. They had used their contacts to get it for Hermione. She had already met several of the others who lived in the building, including the neighbor across the hall. He was a nice man who had helped her carry her groceries up the stairs. He had introduced himself as Phil.

XXXX

Pepper Potts was grateful she had been able to convince Tony to hire a new Personal Assistant. Since their return from Malibu, she was busy with the day to day running of Stark Industries and she struggled to keep up with some of Tony's crazy needs. She had carefully vetted the applicants. The young woman she had chosen; Helen was bright, sweet, and came with a built-in guarantee. Pepper had recognized the address on her application as one where several S.H.I.E.L.D agents lived. It was hard to get approved for an apartment there. It was hard to get anything passed Nick Fury.

XXXX

Tony Stark was not a man who trusted easily. He trusted Pepper's judgment on his new assistant Helen. But that didn't stop him from running a background check. There were some inconsistencies, but she also lived in a building full of S.H.I.E.L.D operatives. That in itself spoke volumes.

Still he had made sure she signed an extensive non disclosure agreement and had made her run stupid errands for him (like go get him coffee and make her walk down the 15 flights of stairs because the coffee tasted stale when it was transported in an elevator). She had done it willingly, without complaint. Though the next day she had brought him a brand new top of the line coffee maker for his lab. Once he decided her hands were tied legally and she wasn't a complete idiot, he allowed her to enter his lab.

She was a sweet young woman. But he sensed she had a fiery personality. He just had to bring it out. After all, sweet was all well and good but you had to be fiesty to deal with him. It had taken him a week to break her sweet attitude. He was pretty sure it was the fake British accent he had used most of a day that did it.

He had been having a bad day and had gotten snappy with her. She narrowed her eyes at him with a little scowl on her face and told him if he couldn't be nice then he was a muppet who needed to shut his bleeding gob hole. He wouldn't admit it to her, but he'd had to have Jarvis translate half her insults. Her quick wit made her a delight to work with.

XXXX

Hermione loved her new job most days. Her boss, Tony Stark was brilliant. Too bad he knew it. He was definitely an arrogant sort. Sometimes his needs didn't make much sense to her, but she figured when he asked her to do something illogical it was his way of testing her. Hazing the new kid if you will.

Tony reminded her a lot of Sirius. He was a flirty, full of snark and a wicked sense of humor kind of guy who had a secret soft side. He loved to give her hell about her accent. Apparently because she was British she was now nicknamed Mary Poppins.

She had a good chuckle at that. If he only knew just how close to being true that was. The first time she had snarked back at him, he had stopped what he was doing and looked at her closely. With a nod he said, "Well okay then Helen" with an extra layer of sarcasm. Then he returned to what he was doing.

After awhile the two were comfortable trading insults with each other. He thought it particularly hilarious when she told him to "bugger off, you numpty." Which Jarvis had to translate. He in turn had proceeded to imitate her accent for the rest of the day, driving her round the bend.

On days when they got along well, and he didn't drive her daft, Hermione went out of her way to do something nice for him. One good day he had been particularly frustrated about how to get a part he had been attempting to build to come together. He had stormed off in need of a break after the 5th attempt. While he was gone, she pulled her wand and used a quick repairo to fix it. When he had returned he sat down to work and within moments had it together, not suspecting it was anything other than a fresh perspective that had solved it.

On days he irritated her…..she would do things to drive him insane in return. Once she had charmed his Iron Man suit green and silver, chuckling at the Hogwarts house colors.

More than once she had hit him with a stinging jinx. He just assumed it was a static shock. All on all it was a great job. With all the intensive, regular workouts, her magic was under better control, she could now technically go without the dampening bracelets, but she usually wore at least one just in case the magic tried to mess with his tech.

XXXX

She was dreaming of one of them again. This time it was the larger, muscular blonde man she had seen in her Valkyrie's memories. Instead of his usual garb, he was dressed in jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Seeing Thor- for she was certain that's who he was, in normal muggle earthly clothes was different. She didn't understand why she was dreaming about him dressed like that.

Upon waking she wrote the dream off as silly. That was until she began to feel the Valkyrie pushing her towards the small town of Puente Antiguo in New Mexico. She had made several trips there to see what was drawing her there. Whatever it was, she had yet to discover. The draw was getting stronger with each passing day. Then one day, He appeared. Thor was walking down a street in New Mexico. She began watching him disillusioned. How best to approach him, without him thinking she was insane was a problem.

XXXX

MACUSA had kept an eye out on the so called "electromagnetic disturbances." Once it was determined that they were from beings called Asgardians, they quickly determined it was not their problem and pulled their aurors out. Let the muggles deal with that crazy type of chaos.

XXXX

Thor had been banished to Midgard. It was hard being stranded in a strange place, cut off from his power. Worst of all was that he could see Mjölnir and was unable to pick it up. He had to admit some things were good about Midgard though, like the lovely Jane Foster and the delicious delicacy known as pop-tarts. He kept feeling oddly though. As if someone was watching him. Sure, he drew attention as he tried to become used to Midgard customs, but this was different. But no matter how many times he looked, he could see no one.

On one of the trips he had taken with Jane and friends to the small town nearby sent his senses into overtime. They were here. Who ever had been watching him. Only this time it didn't feel like they were watching him. He just felt they were near. They passed a small diner, and through the window he saw Her. Their eyes connected, and something inside him drew him to her. As if he recognized her. No she wasn't familiar in that she looked like someone he knew. It was a more he could sense her power, and it felt like home, like Asgard.

The young woman's eyes widened and she quickly left the diner. Heedless to the looks and shouts from Jane and her companions, he shook off his stupor and gave chase. The young woman was ahead of him, her long chestnut curls flying as she turned a corner. He turned the direction she had, and found her stopped in a dead end. Her back was to him.

Palms sweaty, heart racing he called out to her. "Who are you? Why do you feel of Asgard?"

The young woman turned, knelt down, head bowed, curls obscured her face. Her right arm crossed her chest, fist closed as it laid on her left shoulder in salute. When she raised her head, her eyes seemed to glow. A transformation came over her with a flash of light. Suddenly he was looking at the same young woman, wearing a form Asgardian Armor he hadn't seen in millennia. Large white wings spread behind her. On her brow was a circlet. The symbol of the Valkyrie.

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When Thor had seen her, the first instinct was to flee. She hadn't come up with a solid plan yet. He had caught her completely unaware that afternoon. She could feel him chasing her, knew she most likely couldn't outrun him. Then she hit a dead end. Before she could pull her wand, he was in the alley with her. This was the closest she had been to him since her first sighting of him. The Valkyrie took over. She found herself kneeling at his feet, saluting him as the Valkyrie fully emerged.

"Valkyrie," he whispered in shock.

A small nod of her head stunned him further.

"How is this possible? My father banished the Valkyrie a millennia ago. Without the power of Asgard, your powers should not exist."

Well that was news to her. It must be her magic that fueled and increased the power of the Valkyrie. She drew a breath and replied, "Prince Thor. I am Hermione. I believe it possible because I have magic."

He cocked his head. Loki had magic that was different than most Asgardians. Perhaps this was a similar thing. "Magic," he questioned.

"Yes. You see. I am a witch," she said drawing her wand.

"That's a rather short staff," he stated.

She chuckled, "Not a staff, a wand. Though I imagine they are similar in that they are both used to focus magic."

"My brother has magic. Are you like him then?"

"No, Prince Thor. From what I have read, our magic is different. I can not create illusions like he can, nor can I multiply my form."

"Lady Hermione, when I am found worthy of Mjölnir again, I will return to Asgard. I will speak to my mother. She will be able to explain things. I would bring you back with me to meet her, but I am uncertain if All Father would allow it."

"I understand Prince Thor, I-"

"Please Lady Hermione, it is the least I can do. Perhaps one day you will be welcomed into Asgard, like the Valkyrie before you."

A disturbance in the very air around them alerted them that something was coming. Hermione stood, wand at the ready. She knew Thor was without his powers right now. She felt it was her duty to protect him, as well as any muggles nearby.

"Perhaps it would be best if you were to hide your true form until we know who or what we are dealing with." Thor suggested.

A quick nod, an exhale and the Valkyrie hides itself leaving Hermione standing before him. They moved cautiously out of the alley, Thor in the lead as he cautioned her back. There in the middle of the street in front of Isobel's Diner were Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. A huge grin lit up Thor's face.

"Friends!" He cried joyously as he moved to greet them.

"Thor! There you are," the large bearded one said.

After greetings were exchanged between the warriors, Thor beckoned Hermione over.

"Lady Hermione, these are my friends. Lady Sif, and the Warriors Three. Also known as Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg. This is Lady Hermione."

Hermione gave a small smile and bowed her head in greeting. Thor gestured to the diner behind him, "Come, let us sup as you inform me of the goings on in Asgard."

They entered the small diner and took seats. The Warriors Three were turning the menu's every which way in an attempt to understand them. Lady Sif raised an eyebrow in amusement. It was Hermione who took over and ordered drinks for them all.

They were eyeing her in curiosity. No doubt wondering what a Prince of Asgard was doing introducing a mere midgardian to them. Lady Sif's eyes looked between Hermione and Thor, trying to determine their relationship. Her cheeks flushed. She knew it wasn't what Lady Sif was thinking. She had seen Thor's infatuation with Jane after all.

Thor let out a chuckle as he finally caught on to the looks they were giving him and Hermione. "No my friends! My heart belongs to Lady Jane. Lady Hermione is actually -"

A boom sounded out as the ground shook, nearly knocking them off their seats. A large metallic giant towered over the street, blasting lasers at random targets. Lady Sif and the Warriors Three dashed out in an attempt to get the situation under control. Thor stood watching, cursing his current lack of power.

"What- what is that?" Hermione asked shakily.

"That is my brother Loki. I am not sure what has caused him to bring the Destroyer here to Midgard, but I can not sit idle as he harms innocents. The people of Midgard are under my protection."

"But you don't have Mjölnir. You are powerless against that!" She cried.

"I have to try. He is here for me. I can not let others fight my fights. You must stay here. Do not intervene, no matter what," he commanded her.

"But I-"

"No. This is not your fight."

He ran to the exit, stepping out the door as a nearby vehicle exploded. He ducked and covered his face before he ran to face his brother.

XXXX

Stay here, as if she could Hermione scoffed. She may have been commanded not to intervene, but that didn't mean she couldn't help indirectly. If she disillusioned herself, no one would know. Men in suits were firing guns at the Destroyer as if the tiny weapons could bring it down.

Her wand slipped to her hand a quick twist, the cool shivery feeling of the disillusionment took effect. Hermione entered the fight. She cast as many protegos as she could until the civilians got off the street. Then she set a quick muggle repelling ward to keep those who were not already involved away from the chaos.

She had just finished the wards when a large sign came toppling down, headed right towards Thor. The Valkyrie, being honor bound to protect the ruling Asgardian family would not allow her to remain away. A flash, and then her wings propelled her to Thor, knocking him out of the way just in time. Thor looked in her direction briefly confused. The disillusionment had managed to hold during the Valkyrie's emergence. Thor regained his feet and began yelling at Loki in an attempt to draw his ire.

Hermione heard a pained groan behind her. Two of the men in suits were on the ground, one injured. A blast shook the street as a large semi truck came hurtling towards them. Without even thinking of keeping her cover, Hermione shouted, "Reducto!" Followed by "Protego Totalum!"

XXXX

Phil Coulson had seen many things in his years as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent. The arrival of Thor being one of the biggest shocks. Especially coming on the heels of the Iron Man fighting off Ivan Vanko, also known as Whiplash just a short time ago. Phil had missed that fight, as he had been keeping an eye on the electromagnetic disturbances in New Mexico.

He had been keeping an eye on Thor since his arrival. When the four other Asgardians appeared this morning, Phil and the other S.H.I.E.L.D agents were ready to step in. Whatever the large robotic giant was, it obviously wasn't controlled by the Asgardians.

He and his fellow agents had willingly entered the fray in an attempt to gain some order. It was obvious they were no match. He was quite happy when the Asgardian warriors stepped in. A ricocheting bullet had caught one of the other agents and he had crumpled to the ground. Phil rushed to his side, hands pressing the wound to stanch the blood.

He looked up when a nearby blast happened. His eyes widened at the semi flying straight towards him. He was sure he was getting ready to meet his maker. He heard a shout and the semi seemed to blast apart before his very eyes. Another shout was heard in front of him and the debris from the semi seemed to hit an invisible wall. A flicker in front of him caught his attention, and out of nowhere a winged woman appeared. She was holding a stick, pointing at the raining debris. Her head turned and her glowing eyes met his briefly before she flickered again and disappeared.

Phil wasn't sure what to think. Did that really happen? And if so, who was the woman who had just saved his life? Why the hell did he immediately think of his neighbor Helen? Furthermore, what was this woman? His attention was drawn to Thor who had somehow been able to retrieve his hammer and was taking down the robot. Phil decided the woman was just an adrenaline fueled illusion, one he was not going to mention to anyone. They might think he wasn't capable of handling field work. The thought of a desk job made him shudder.

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Thor had been able to defeat Loki. He and the others had returned to Asgard. He did not forget his promise to Lady Hermione, who seemed to have disappeared during the fight. He was determined to speak to his mother. She had always been against the All Father's banishment of the Valkyrie. Once he had some answers, and the bifrost was repaired, he would return to Midgard and find Lady Hermione. He wasn't sure where she was. But he would look the whole of Asgard over if Heimdall couldn't locate her. Besides it would give him an excuse to see Lady Jane again.

XXXX

Nick Fury was having to deal with the shit storm that the Asgardian Princes had left in their wake. For now they were gone, and for his sake he hoped they stayed gone. He had agents monitoring Iron Man still. And his agent who had been watching Banner hadn't reported at his scheduled time. He would have to send another agent to access the situation. He was already making contingency plans to contain him should his angry green alter ego make an appearance.

He had been keeping an eye on a couple of his agents who had been acting a bit oddly lately. Romanov and Barton had been spending as much time away from base as possible. He wondered what they did with their spare time. If he hadn't known about Barton's wife, he would have wondered if they were having an affair. But any man who went through the amount of effort Barton had to keep his family safe would never have an affair. Coulson had been acting a bit off since New Mexico. But Fury chalked it up to his imagination, or perhaps it was because Coulson was headed to the arctic where an important missing relic from the 40's had just been located. Whatever the issue, they were all good agents, and he had absolute faith in them.