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Entrenched on his throne, the All Father, Odin, appeared as formidable as the realm he ruled. However, it was the elegant and demure woman sitting beside Odin, who secured Hermione's attention. Queen Frigga exuded grace and gentility, which no doubt her incredible power. Hermione's mind filled with thoughts of Narcissa Malfoy.
Just as the Malfoy Matriarch hid her immense capabilities behind the guise of society wife, Queen Frigga used her demeanor to obscure the fact that it was she who taught Loki magic, and passed the secrets of the mind arts on to her son. While Loki had successfully bypassed Hermione's mental shields, no doubt from examining them inside Tony's penthouse, it was not a mistake she was willing to repeat with his mother.
"All Father," Thor greeted Odin bowing low as he spoke. "May I present the Midgardian Enchantress, Hermione Granger."
Thor hastily retreated from Hermione without waiting for a response from the royal dais. The action confirmed her suspicions that she was on trial, even if Thor hadn't admitted her presence in Asgard did not need to be voluntary. She didn't know whether to be surprised or amused that Odin had allowed his royal court to be present for this farce.
Hermione inclined her head respectfully, but refused to bend her knees. Despite Odin's neutral expression the gasp that passed through the crowd was enough to announce the faux pas.
"I am surprised that a Midgardian is familiar with Asgardian fashion," Odin said as his wife watched on silently. "Although you've clearly missed out on the lesson for greeting a royal court properly."
"I didn't realize you required foreigners to proselytize themselves before you," Hermione answered dismissively, earning another round of horror from the court. She was struggling not to roll her eyes at the dramatics.
"You received a coveted invitation, yet you refuse to show respect?" Odin asked her with irritation leaking into his voice.
"I am not Asgardian," Hermione reminded him and the court. "Therefore, while I am willing to show you respect, I will not show subservience to you, nor anyone else."
The first crack in Odin's neutral mask appeared. Her obstinance angered the All Father great enough that the emotion briefly flickered on his face, before he altered the conversation.
"My son, Thor, spoke of you wielding the power of the Tesseract," Odin said nodding towards the younger Asgardian who gave her a bright smile. "I must admit it's a notable feat...for a Midgardian."
"We're full of surprises," Hermione answered with a slight one shoulder shrugged while ignoring the insult he'd slipped in towards the end of his statement. While she was watching Odin, her Occlumency shields were tapped against. The intrusion was light and discreet, as if it was simply testing for a shield at all.
"Surely you've learned about our capabilities after all of the time your sons have spent on Earth," Hermione said, taking pride when Odin briefly flinched at the plurality of offspring.
"I was surprised when the Tesseract my son Thor brought back was determined false, as was the scepter accompanying it," Odin said. "Aside from Loki, you are the only reported person to wield the Tesseract's power."
"Is there a question?" Hermione asked.
"Do you deny stealing an Asgardian artefact and replacing it with a false version?" Odin asked. "Even Midgard requires atonement for crimes committed."
"I stole nothing," Hermione answered. "Besides, could you prove your accusation, on Midgard criminals must have a fair trial with the decision made by a jury of their peers. All Father, you are not only outside of your jurisdiction as King, but you fail to meet the standards of a Midgardian court."
"Asgard will seek justice!" Odin thundered.
"Really?" Hermione asked. "You're willing to endanger your alliance with Earth for an alleged crime not even committed in your realm?"
"For an offense as grievous as this, yes I am," Odin answered heavily. "You removed the Tesseract from Asgard's possession after an agreement was struck with Midgard for both realm's protection."
"Thor brought the Tesseract back to Asgard with Loki," Hermione answered furrowing her brow. "We all watched him. Besides, I've never been to Asgard until now. Surely you don't believe that I managed to transport myself into Asgard, bypass all of your securities, steal said artefact and return to Midgard without detection?"
The sour look that appeared on Odin's face was delightful to the witch, especially when he didn't reply to her question straight away.
"Perhaps my son coached you," Odin suggested as Hermione smirked and Thor promptly shook his head.
"I cannot pretend to keep up with the Enchantress," Thor answered. "She has outwitted all I've encountered including Loki."
While Hermione appreciated the compliment, she wasn't happy with the admission considering the sharp look Odin was currently giving her. It prevented her from mounting her own defense to the accusation while also aligning her with Loki's mischief.
"If you're able to outwit Loki, then it would be easy for you to switch out the Tesseract before Thor left Midgard." Odin suggested. "A treasonous act in Asgard."
"Are you suggesting your heir is not intelligent enough to out wit a mere Midgardian?" Hermione asked demurely, knowing full well the anger Odin with which Odin would react. She simply couldn't help herself.
"You are on dangerous ground," Odin snarled at her.
"Your point?" Hermione asked skeptically. "You're trying to hold me accountable for a theoretical action in another realm. Exactly what authority do you have on Midgard?"
"Under Asgardian Laws…."
"I'm not Asgardian," Hermione interrupted. "Nor did any of theses alleged accusations occur in your realm, which again, means you have no jurisdiction."
"Regardless," Odin dismissed, "Retaining the Tesseract on Midgard only serves to put your planet in danger from greater foes. If it is here on Asgard, we can not only protect your planet, but keep the artifact safe"
"Really?" Hermione asked as she struggled not to laugh. "Have you forgotten that your own son has already stolen the Tesseract and used it to wage war on my planet?"
Odin did not speak for a moment, and Hermione briefly wondered if she'd stunned him into silence. Unexpected, an assault occurred against her mind. A sharp piercing in the center of her shields caused Hermione to fall to her knees as she focused all of her magical energy into a violent retaliation against the assault. Due to the agonizing pain, the witch did not see Queen Frigga collapse in her throne, nor feel when the Asgardian guards grabbed her by both arms.
She woke up on the cold floor of a dark cell with a blistering headache. Determined not to wallow, Hermione forced herself to dig out her beaded bag and fish out the long upgraded tent she kept inside.
Yeah Ron, and I'm too paranoid during peacetime. She couldn't help her dismissive thoughts at how often Ron had mocked her for refusing to go anywhere without the bag. She might be a prisoner, but she'd be damned before she was uncomfortable.
The moment she entered the tent, Hermione set herself to making a much needed pot of tea for herself. The kettle had just started whistling when she spoke, "Are you going to keep skulking in the doorway or join me?"
"My apologies," Loki said as Hermione poured him a cup of tea. "You are an absolute vision in Asgardian garments."
"Well you certainly wouldn't stop shoving the image into my mind while I was dreaming," Hermione muttered. "Now why the bloody hell am I here, and no I'm not referring to your father's childish summons."