The New York attacks were a first for the world.

Though the Earth was home to its own supernatural elements, never before had there been proof of extraterrestrial life (at least to the general public; people like SHIELD didn't count). It cast doubt upon the people who resided on the planet. Fear cast a large shadow upon many. For if a large city like New York could be attacked in such a vicious manner, what hope was there for the rest of them?

Once the shock wore off, several things began to happen.

Many began yelling to the skies, standing on street corners and thrusting rustly fliers into the faces of unsuspecting (and unwanting) passersby. This was finally proof of their conspiracies, they claimed. What other events were being hidden, they cried. Others began researching in a frenzy, along with those who were inspired to create works of art, both visual and written. The attack, to those who weren't there in New York to witness the devastation raining down from the sky, was fascinating, exciting even.

Most, however, kept their heads down and continued with their everyday lives. There were superheroes who guarded their world, bringing down threats left and right. Were aliens really such a stretch? Were the old Norse gods really that out there? The world was a strange place. This was just one more thing to add to the books, wasn't it? It was a one-time thing. The Avengers protected them, even if a fairly large number scoffed at them.

Then there were those who knew better. Those who were already a part of the supernatural community of Earth. The witches, the wizards, the magical creatures. Masters of a force hidden from those without it. Even though the vast majority of this community chose to remain ignorant, there were a select few who knew better.

They recognised the threat these aliens posed. They knew, even from a distance, that there was a chance something like this could happen again. There couldn't be just one species of extraterrestrial out there. For all they knew, all extraterrestrials could be malevolent.

So, when New York was attacked once more not even a year later, it was with a resigned sorrow that one very clever witch from England made the decision to help. She couldn't stand by and watch when innocent people were blown up by the giant spaceship in the sky.

Twenty minutes after the beginning of the attack found her furiously preparing her old gear from the war, her husband knocking on the doorframe.

"Come in, Ron," she sighed.

"You alright?" Concern coloured his tone.

"Yeah, I sure look alright, don't I?"

He chuckled, then paused. Without looking at him, she could see the realisation on his face. "You're going over, aren't you. To New York."

She closed her eyes, a single tear escaping. "I can't stand by and watch, not again. I've been idle for far too long. Harry's over there, as well. I know he can handle himself, but this isn't about him. It's about…"

"It's about those who're unable to defend themselves. I know," finished Ron. He paused for a second as if thinking someone over. "I'm coming, too. Winona, Rose and Hugo are safe at Hogwarts. We'll be back so soon they won't even know that we left."

"Right."

"I'll go get my stuff. Five minutes down in the lounge, okay?"

"Yeah."

Ron left the room, brusque footsteps slowly growing quieter down the carpeted hallway. Hermione couldn't believe her luck. She expected Ron to try and encourage her to stay home. It was so long since they'd done something like this. True, Ron was an Auror, but that was different than travelling to New York to help in the fight against aliens.

She changed into her polished green armour made of basilisk skin. It weighed far less on her conscience to use it. The fact that it was significantly more durable than dragonhide armour was also a plus, along with the fact that it cost nothing for her to acquire. Even though she didn't go out to fight, as it wasn't in her nature, she always kept her skill level with duelling up. Being prepared for the unknown was something she believed in wholeheartedly. Now, it was paying off, as she strapped her wand into its forearm holster.

She grabbed the international Portkey that they would have used to visit Harry in two weeks and brought it down to the lounge. She and Ron were on good terms with the Avengers and occasionally visited the tower. Discussing theories on science versus magic with Tony Stark was a highlight of those visits, as well as visiting the high-tech labs that were in the towers.

Ron was already waiting downstairs, standing anxiously next to the couch. His fingers were tapping a tattoo on his thigh, eyes darting around. He, too, was in the basilisk skin armour, only his was far more battered than her own. He used it almost daily at his job. Scales were dislodged, the brilliant green far duller. His wand was stowed in the holster strapped to his left forearm

He looked up as she entered the room. She lifted the portkey, tapping her wand against the nondescript hairbrush, muttering the incantation to change the time that they were going. It began to pulse a light blue.

Ron touched his finger to it. "Whatever happens out there, we'll get through it."

"Agreed. We don't have any other option."

Then the portkey activated and they vanished in a whirlwind of rainbow lights.

Instead of landing on the floor of the Avengers Tower common room, Ron and Hermione found themselves falling through the air, the ground rapidly approaching. The wind made their eyes water, Hermione's hair being torn out of its braid with the force of it. She let out a surprised yelp, yanking her wand out and shouting, "ARRESTO MOMENTUM!" Her voice was snatched away by the greedy gale around them. She shrieked the spell again.

Her heart stuttered as they continued falling. The ground grew impossibly close.

A mere second before they collided with the ground, an invisible force stopped them. An inch further and they would have been gory pancakes on the ruined cityscape beneath them. Now that they were safe, they were dropped to the ground. She groaned, already feeling the ache that would blossom in a few hours.

"What the bloody hell happened to the tower?" asked Ron. He clambered to his feet, brushing rubble out of his clothes. His eyes flickered upwards. "It's quite something to see it in real life, ain't it?"

Hermione followed his eyeline to the giant ship casting an infintely large shadow. It looked like a small moon, it was so big. An island in the sky. She squinted, seeing something strange in the side of it. A….hole? A gaping hole with ragged edges. Something had blown a hole in the side of it. A small smirk found its way to her lips.

"Is that...Steve? I think Natasha's there, too!" Ron's exclaimation shattered her thoughts. "On that building there."

Once again, she squinted. Two faint figures were standing on the top of a crumbling building. If it weren't for Steve's garishly American costume (how he kept his dignity when he walked around dressed as a flag, she would never know) she would have mistaken it for someone else.

"I think it is. Let's get over there, shall we?"

"Quickly, too. They look like they're going to pop off somewhere." His eyes lit up. "I've got a trick we can use."

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" She already knew the answer.

"Not in the slightest, m'dear. Hold tight." He snaked an arm around her waist. She gripped her arms tight around his shoulders. "Protrudo Autem!"

A violet light pulsed out over the ground which rippled ominously. Hermione gave a yelp of surprise as they were propelled upwards. Soaring high, she could see the entire city, a large portion of it destroyed. A certain part of it, leading from the tower and zig-zagging towards the ship was a whole lot worse than others. What in Merlin's name? That couldn't have anything to do with the explosion in the side of the ship, could it? High above the buildings, it didn't seem like such a stretch.

"VIVERCULIS!"

They lurched forward downwards in a diagonal, heading directly towards the roof where the two figures were. There was no mistaking them for anyone other than Steve and Natasha.

As they landed, Hermione cast a cushioning charm so no bones were broken. Ron did the same, making their landing rather pleasant.

"Nice to see you two again. We need all the help we can get." Natasha didn't even turn around, still observing the ship. "Fancy going to an alien planet?"

"Huh?" said Ron.

"Harry just commed us that we need to get to Asgard. We were about to call for Heimdall, but saw you falling and decided to wait."

In any other situation, Hermione would be asking endless questions, buzzing so fast she looked blurred. "Where is Harry?"

Steve growled. "He left us and went off on his own."

Ron's eyes narrowed. "He'd only do that if...no, he thinks he's going to die. He'll die over and over again."

"The bastard doesn't think," said Natasha. "As nice as bitching about Harry is, we've got to get going. Stand together, please." They huddled together, Hermione dwarfed by Steve. Sometimes she forgot just how tall he was.

"Let's hope this works," Natasha muttered.

"It will. It has to." Steve swallowed, then called out the sentence that Thor made sure each of the Avengers knew. "Heimdall, open the Bifrost!"

Instantly, the air shifted. As she breathed it in, Hermione noted that it seemed sharper. It was almost crackling with energy. She could feel it running over her skin, dancing a tango. A glance at Ron revealed he was the same. The clouds above them began lighting up, swirling together into a conical shape.

Rainbow lights shot down, surrounding them. In an instant, the group of four were hurtling throughout space. Earth was left far behind. The sensation was as if some crazy wizard combined Apparition, a Portkey and Floo travel into one, then multiplied it by one hundred. To say it was nauseating was an understatement.

Hermione's arms were pinned to her side with the force of the Bifrost. Her head was locked in place as well. Stars glinted on the corner of her vision, through the rainbow vortex, coming and going faster than she could see. Her mind whirled with the possibilities that this method of travel offered. Those thoughts were soon overpowered with the fact that she was no longer on Earth. I'm in space. Holy mother of Merlin, I'm in space! Usually one to stay calm, she found it difficult to do that at this moment.

A quick flick of her eyes upwards revealed that they were nearing the end of the Bifrost. She could see a tiny, golden room, two pinpricks standing inside it. People. Asgardians, she told herself. Legs tensing, Hermione prepared herself for the landing. Making a bad impression on immensely powerful beings she previously believed were mythical was not on the top of her to-do list.

The Bifrost spat them out into a spherical, golden room. Hermione stumbled but managed to keep her balance, straightening up. The same could be said for Steve and Natasha. Unfortunately, Ron was not so lucky. He tripped over his own feet and planted his face quite soundly on the floor. Hermione couldn't help snickering.

Ron Weasley straightened up so quickly that if she hadn't seen him on the floor, she wouldn't have believed he was there in the first place. His cheeks were flushed a brilliant red.

"Welcome to Asgard. I foresaw your arrival." A soft melodious voice met her ears. It came from one of the figures in front of them, a woman. Soft golden curls tinged slightly with an elegant grey were intricately piled up on her head. A regal-looking dress hung off her, screaming royalty. "It is good that you are here."

Hermione bowed her head, even though she didn't know who the woman was. Theories were sneaking up in the back of her mind, though. "It is an honour."

"Your respect is appreciated, though this is not the time nor place for it, my dear." Hermione straightened, a slight blush dusting her cheeks. "I am Frigga, and this here is Heimdall."

Hermione's mouth dropped open.

Frigga smiled softly. "Come, there is much to prepare for and not much time." She began walking down a stunning bridge, towards the most opulent place Hermione ever laid eyes open. If it was any other time, she would feel awe.

But as the group of four followed instantly, the only thing they felt was dread curling deep in their gut.

Harry grit his teeth and spit blood out of his mouth. A fist flew down again, again, again. His arms were tied, arms suspended with cuffs that stopped his magic. His body was battered, bruised. It would be a sight tomorrow.

His attacker continued beating him, scoring his skin like someone would a leg of meat. She seemed desperate to get some kind of reaction out of him. ha. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of hearing him scream.

Instead, he grinned up at her. No amount of pain would stop him. "It's going to take a lot more than that to break me."

She screamed in frustration and took a knife to his face. Warm, metallic blood dribbled into his mouth. Once again, he spit it out.

A low rumbling voice reached his ears. "Daughter, stand back. He will speak, eventually. It is inevitable. He's an interesting one, though. He seems to resist all manner of attacks. I wonder if he could resist the power of one of the stones, though?"

A purple glow filled Harry's eyes and all he knew was pain.

Another update in less than a week? Who is she? Who am I? WHAT AM I? WHY AM I? Ha. I promise I haven't been infected with anything except the writing bug. I hope that you enjoyed this. I am having a lot of fun doing this. My fingers are once again flying across the keyboard and it's the most natural thing, for me at least.

Anyway, I digress.

Thank you for all those who have reviewed, read, followed and favourited. We've reached 500,000 views, which is never something that I thought I would achieve. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you, my readers. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I'll stop before I turn sappier than a kauri tree, but you get a general idea.

The next chapter will focus on what happened to Harry after he blew a hole in the side of Thanos' ship, how he found out about Asgard, and how he got to the point he is at now. Also, Tony, Clint and Bruce/The Hulk.

Once again, thank you, so, so much (I don't know when to stop, do I?).

Sincerely,
Mariadoria