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. Odin

Andromeda remained by Hermione's bedside as the girl recovered in a magically induced coma. Throughout the time the young witch slept, the Black Matriarch scoured the contract Thor had retrieved for her. Her niece certainly was clever, and used the agreement to ultimately buy herself more time. It was the bond between Hermione and Loki, which perplexed the older woman.

No doubt, Odin had reason to believe his "preliminary" betrothal agreement would trigger their magic to blend together. Although she didn't know why he believed it would work. Thankfully, the departure of Hermione back to Earth had disrupted the binding process long enough that it hadn't finished developing when Andromeda arrived in Asgard. Her first task was to separate the two's magic and eliminate the bond's existence.

"Andromeda?" Hermione's voice called out sleepily. "Where are…wait how are you…Merlin what did Harry do?"

"He correctly chose to summon me after learning you signed a betrothal contract without informing your Head of House," Andromeda answered.

"Pot…meet Kettle," Hermione muttered, struggling to sit up. Andromeda snorted as she assisted the younger woman.

"Our situations were not at all alike," she said. "You were not about to marry your pillock of a cousin. Besides, I'll have you know that three of my aunts witnessed my union."

"I take it Harry's been a pill about the entire affair."

"Oh yes. That harpy of a king abhors your brother, and Harry's clearly a mini-Sirius with how much enjoyment he's been taking over irritating the old man."

"Of course he is," Hermione said chuckling. "How bad is it?"

"Honestly, the contract you negotiated isn't without merit. I'm certain Odin believed trapping you required binding your magic to his son's," Andromeda answered. "The boy was hysterical when I told him I meant to break it. He's quite enamored with you."

"Were you able to break it?"

Andromeda's eyes narrowed at her, "Our family's purity obsession only endured for generations because of the integral and intimate knowledge we possessed regarding marital bonds. Ultimately, as newer fads amongst marriage rituals emerged, our ancestors started comparing their vitality to those they were replacing. As you know, certain marital rites are less binding than others.

"Blacks have long used a specific ritual due to its irreversibility. Not only can it not be broken, but it's powerful enough to override lesser rituals."

"You used it with Ted, didn't you?" Hermione guessed.

"As though a Black ever leaves such a thing up to chance," Andromeda answered with a small smirk. "Pissed my father right off."

"How'd you deal with Loki?"

"Oh, I used an obscure banishment spell. It was heavily relied upon in child-rearing back when home births were common, and the child's nursery was created out of the birth room. A form of sympathetic magic if you will. It sends an individual back to the place of their birth."

Hermione erupted into laughter, "You sent him to his room as a punishment?!"

"He was throwing a tantrum," Andromeda answered with a demure shrug. "It was an appropriate punishment. Besides, it's been quite effective. Poor child hasn't bothered us since."

"Missy Hermione has been most troublesome!" Daisy pronounced after winking into existence and seeing the witch was awake. Hermione couldn't help, but wince. The house elf's lectures were notorious, and proven to be far more unbearable than Molly Weasley's.

Andromeda gracefully rose to her feat, "I shall alert our host that you've awaken. Daisy will mind you in my absence."

Hermione watched, horrified, as Andie left her alone with the irate elf. Daisy didn't disappoint, nor did she let up for a full thirty mins.

"Daisy, could I trouble you for some water?" Hermione finally managed to spit out. The house elf's eyes narrowed at her before she disappeared from the room.

"Vexing creature," Loki said, stepping into view. "Thought it would never leave."

"I suggest you show Daisy respect,' Hermione said, her voice dripping of derision. "Only fools dismiss houselves."

"You are fond of her," Loki concluded with a light chuckle. "Tell me, Witchling, why this penchant for championing your lessors?"

"A friend once told me, 'to learn the character of a man, observe how he interacts with those beneath him," Hermione answered. "What do you want.

"I desire a great many things, but nothing so much as to inquire on your health," Loki said with a smile.

The witch rolled her eyes, "You'll need to speak with Andromeda regarding that information."

Loki grimaced, "You're Aunt's disdain is not well hidden."

"You honestly believe she was trying to conceal it from you?" Hermione asked, laughing at him. "Here I thought you were clever. The Black Family does not take theft of their property lightly and I assure you heirs are the most valuable."

"Do you share this possessiveness?"

"Not really," Hermione answered shrugging. "I'm adopted. Bound to miss out on a few family traits."

"How fortuitous," Loki said, his eyes dancing, "So am I. How kismet."

"You is the bad boy out to harm Missy Hermione!" Daisy said glaring at Loki, where he sat perched on Hermione's bed. Mistress banned you from Missy Hermione's sick room."

"Yes well, Mistress isn't here is she?" Loki snarked at the elf as she maneuvered around him to place a water pitcher on Hermione's bedside tables.

"Missy Hermione is a good witch! She's not for the likes of you."

"I beg your pardon," Loki demanded, staring down at the audacious elf.

"Proper boy wouldn't resort to stealing missy Hermione. Proper boy shows Missy Hermione's House respect and approaches them."

"You must be joking," Loki muttered before catching sight of Hermione's bemused expression. "You think this amusing, Witchling?"

"Bad boy selects appropriate moniker," Daisy said sniffed. "Perhaps misguided than stupid. You go now."

Daisy didn't wait for Loki to react, and with a snap of her fingers banished him.

"Missy Hermione musn't laze about. Mistress wants to see her." Based upon Daisy's insistence that Hermione select one of the robes from the selection Andromeda brought along, the witch figured out this was a meeting where Odin would be present.

From the moment Hermione joined the two families, she could see the waves of tension rising amongst them. Andromeda was a sight to behold, despite her perfect posture, she radiated an air of ease. It was a stark contrast to Odin, who clearly wasn't used to women not deferring to him.

"Mione!" Harry said, rising to his feet when he saw her.

"Enchantress!" Thor's voice boomed, causing his mother to wince.

"Harry, Thor," Hermione greeted. "I feel fine."

"Nonsense," Harry said. "Take my seat. Magical exhaustion isn't something to take lightly."

"He's right," Frigga agreed. Hermione nodded, realizing she'd be outnumbered, and took Harry's chair.

"Where is Loki?"

"Daisy, I believe sent him to his room," Hermione answered, noting the amused look on Andromeda's face.

"I suppose my son was making a nuisance of himself?" Frigga asked, sighing in exasperation.

"Less than he usually does," Hermione answered. "Daisy doesn't tolerate nonsense."

"Thor, would you be so kind as to retrieve your brother?" Frigga asked. The blonde Asgardian bounded out of the room.

"Lord Potter, your aunt tells me you have taken a wife/" Frigga inquired, as Harry turned bright red over her phrasing. Hermione, however, snickered.

"A better description would be that Ginny acquired Harry as a husband. I don't believe he had the option to say no, not that he wanted to do so," Hermione explained.

"Are all Midgardian women so domineering?" Odin asked Harry.

"Only the best ones," Harry answered without hesitation. His response earned him fond smiles from each woman in the room. The conversation halted upon Thor's return.

"Loki is not in his quarters," Thor said, as Hermione started laughing. Before she could be questioned, Loki burst through the door violently with a mutinous glare upon his face.

"I would appreciate it, if the magic wielders would stop sending me to the center of that frozen tundra," Loki snarled, even as they all stared at him bemused.

"Certainly," Andromeda agreed, "However, I reserve the right to send you to your nursey when your behavior warrants it."

"Where is it that you have been?" Frigga asked, looking concerned.

"Oh, my family has a handy solution to dispel the tantrums children are prone to when young," Andromeda answered. "It returns them to the nursery, though due to the age of the spell, it's actually the place of birth. You're getting much faster at returning, clearly you've learned how to cool off sooner."

Loki growled, but his anger was interrupted by a loud peal of laughter that erupted from Queen Frigga.

"Mother, you cannot find this amusing," Loki said, as the Queen struggled for air.

"You have no idea how I longed for such a spell during the days my sons were, but wee ones," Frigga explained to Andromeda. "Never have I seen a pair of children more rambunctious than mine. If one wasn't missing a limb, the other was running with a sword."

"Mother!" Thor and Loki admonished.

"I'm delighted for the opportunity to tease Loki about getting sent back to his nursery at his age," Frigga said before looking pointedly at her son. "Perhaps this will teach you that boundaries exist for a reason."

"Yes, they do," Andromeda agreed, "Which brings us to the reason why we're here. The Asgardian Royal Family has trespassed upon what isn't theirs, and attempted to abscond with one of the Daughters of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."

Loki grimaced at the description, though Hermione was unsure if it was the allegation of him being a thief or that Hermione was considered property.

"It is peculiar you claim this young lady as a member of your House, considering she does not bear your name," Odin said, sidestepping Andromeda's allegation and earning a narrowed eye glare.

"We honor family. Hermione does this by retaining the surname of her birth parents, which in no way diminishes her status as an heir of our House. Suggesting such is a grave insult," Andromeda retorted, as Odin gave her the barest of nods to acknowledge his misstep.

"Your niece confirmed her superiors would require her to seek their approval of such an agreement. However, never did she reveal her heritage included belonging to such a prestigious family. Perhaps such a disclosure would have led to more agreeable terms for your family," Odin said as Harry scowled at the implication the Allfather had made against Hermione. Thankfully, due to Andie coaching him, the wizard kept his mouth shut, and Hermione didn't rise to the bait either.

"Which parts of the contract concern you?"

"It's existence," Andromeda answered without batting an eye.

"Unfortunately, due to the bond having developed between the couple, we are beyond dissolving the contract," Odin informed her. His eyes narrowed as a Cheshire smile bloomed on Andromeda's face.

"Oh, not to worry, I ripped that bond to shreds."