Chapter 9
Dr. Stephen Strange was not one known for his love of practical jokes. However, after Loki had disabled him during the battle, the Sorcerer Supreme decided to make an exception, especially after Hermione asked his help with something that he thought that the god of mischief would appreciate. He called for Hermione, Harry, Draco and, Billy. They had a prank to plan.
Loki and Dr Strange were discussing yuletide spells and their effectiveness when suddenly a magic circle appeared
beneath Loki. It's colors were Orange-gold, pink,Emerald Green, teal, and A light silverish blue. Thor, who was standing there called out "Loki.." it's not my doing brother! " And the circle swallowed him up. The kids came out of hiding all smiling like the cat who caught the Canary, as was Strange. Thor became worried and upset on his brother's behalf, but Strange assured him that Loki would be just fine, elated even, and explained Hermione's plans. Thor's smile was so bright he could have lit Asgard with it.
Loki plummeted for around thirty minutes, with a portal opening up at the ceiling in the Royal Palace of Asgard, from which he fell out of, and exclaimed irately "I've been falling for thirty minutes!" At this point, a scroll enveloped in lavender-pink light fell through the same portal and hit him in the head. He opened it up and it read:
"Will you be my Dad? - Hermione
He looked up and saw Hermione and Bellatrix standing there looking anxious about seeing his reply. Overcome with emotion, he only nodded and hugged his soon-to-be daughter tightly to his chest, which was reciprocated.
The Black family and the other wizards arrived in Asgard a week before the wedding, which was decided to be a week before Yuletide, otherwise known as Christmas. They were given the grand tour of the city, compliments of Thor, Sif, and the Warriors three, which proved interesting to say the least. It was very reminiscent of a group of children with chaperones.
Meanwhile, while her sister was in Asgard preparing for the wedding, Jean and her husband Scott were making preparations for their son Nathan and daughter Rachel to move into the tower with them. Nate took right to the tower, and made a friend and mentor in Clint, who was happy to be the big brother figure to Nate, as he had a similar role with the other kids. Rachel was excited to meet two of her heroes, Captain Marvel, and Black Widow, both of which were glad to mentor the next generation of female superheroes. She and Dora became close friends as time passed. Both Summers children took to the Avengers lifestyle quite easily, and found they enjoyed living in the city.
The wedding preparations were all but completed, and everyone was being fitted for their wedding outfits. The royal family of Asgard and the Ancient and most Noble House of Black were being fitted in the finest that Asgard had to offer. It was also here when Bellatrix was introduced to her soon to be sister-in-law,Angela, and Loki's claimed sisters Sif and Amora. All three ladies made it abundantly clear what would happen to her if she hurt Loki, and that they also welcomed her to the family wholeheartedly.
The day of the wedding arrived with fanfare. The palace Banquet Hall and the Throne Room were decorated, and the kitchens had been bustling for days preparing for the Royal Wedding Feast. Thanks to the combined magics of Loki, Wanda, and Lily the kitchens were also safe from Volstagg's immense hunger. The Avengers had arrived the day before, and were helping with the last minute preparations, and attending the bride and groom. They also were dressed to the nines, thanks to a combination of Emma, Pepper, and Frigga.
The guests were shown to the Throne Room where ceremony would take place as they arrived. Bellatrix was off in her own suite getting ready with Hermione, when there was a knock at the door. Frigga entered along with an extremely tall woman with deathly pale skin who was dressed in black and dark green who had a slight resemblance to Loki. "Bella dear, I would like to introduce you to someone," Frigga said, " This is my granddaughter Hela, Loki's daughter. Hela, this is Bellatrix, Loki's betrothed, and this is her adopted daughter who is to become their daughter after ceremony, Hermione." Hela gently nodded her head in the direction of each during the introductions. "Nice to meet the mortals who turned my father's head and have the gall to think they are worthy of becoming members of the Royal Family of the Realm Eternal," she said with a sneer.
"Hela, you may Loki's daughter, but remember you are a guest in the Palace, and I will not have you insulting her on her wedding day!"
"I'm also not one to take kindly to insults either, even if you are his daughter. Soon I will be your father's wife, and I will not be disrespected," Bellatrix hissed as she pushed Hermione behind her.
"Bold words little mortal sorceress,especially with your past of being subservient to someone who was your inferior. But I didn't come to fight, I'll take my leave for the ceremony, I'll show myself out." And with that, she turned and sauntered out. Frigga turned to Bella and said " I'm so sorry for her behavior. She's never exactly pleasant, but that's to be expected when dealing with the goddess of the dead." " I just can't see how anyone that nasty could come from Loki." "Well, she's always claimed that she's been abandoned by her family, because we had to make a very hard decision when she was a young lady. But let us speak no more of such dark things. It is a day of celebration. Severus has finished the potion for the adoption ritual as well for you. That man has a gift for brewing I have seen few possess in the nine realms."
Trumpets blared a fanfare showing that it was time for the ceremony to begin. Thor stood where the best man would be expected, but Loki was suspiciously missing. The doors opened, and there was Loki in his female form in an emerald green gown with golden trim and a fur cloak draped around her shoulders with a tiara that resembled his true forms helmet/headpiece. She sashayed down the aisle. The Avengers were used to Loki's shenanigans, as was the royal family, but wasn't expecting him to cause such mischief on his wedding day. Frigga tried and failed to cover a giggle, Angela rolled her eyes and sighed good naturedly. Thor just facepalmed, where Odin just narrowed his eye and cleared his throat. Loki just sighed and said "sorry father, but I am always Loki, god of mischief." At that point, she waved her hand, and there was a flash of golden green light, and there stood Loki in his normal form, wearing a formal variety of his normal robes.
The horns blared again, and the doors opened again. This time Narcissa Andromeda and Hermione came down the aisle. This time an orchestra was heard playing the wedding march. Bellatrix was in her gown, which was in varying shades of violet and royal purple with her hair styled into an Asgardian style. Sirius was the one walking her down the aisle.
The ceremony commenced with the grandeur to be expected, and ended with Odin proclaiming them to be man and wife. They kissed, and Bellatrix was crowned princess of Asgard then and there. Then Hermione stepped forward for the blood adoption ritual. An Asgardian ritual bowl and athame were brought forth, as well as a chalice. The ritual started up right away, Loki, and then Bella sliced their palms, and then Hermione. Severus' potion was added to the chalice as was the blood mixing in the bowl. She drank the mixture, and her metamorphosis began. She shot up in height, her hair turned dark and wavy, her skin turned an ivory color, and her eyes were a silvery green. Her abnormally large front teeth shrank ,and her cheekbones shifted higher and grew slightly larger. She was now truly the daughter of Loki and Bellatrix.
The reception hall outside the banquet hall was filled with guests for the new royal couple while they waited for the reception to begin. The avengers were all stationed around the couple and the rest of the Royal family members. The other pantheons' representatives came and went giving their congratulations and their gifts for the royal couple. Both the groom and bride who weren't known for showing emotions positively glowed with happiness, as did Hermione who was properly meeting her new aunt and grandparents. Her uncle Thor she was already well acquainted with.
The banquet hall door opened and the reception banquet was served. Finer feasts had never been served on earth, or Asgard. The feast fed the guests, and there was so much left, the leftovers fed the Asgardian army for a month. The newlyweds also had gifts for their friends/family as well. Among the gifts, Clint was given a quiver filled with unlimited arrows, Steve's shield was blessed by Odin, Bruce was given a medallion to give him more control over the Hulk, Natasha's wardrobe was enchanted to hide ammo and weapons, the magical avengers were gifted with coats to enhance their own abilities, as were the psychics. The children were given bracelets to keep psychic energy and magic aimed at them from attacking them.
The couple were about to leave for their honeymoon, when they were stopped by Nick Fury. "I have a mission for the two of you before you start celebrating. I wouldn't ask if I didn't think time was of the essence I wouldn't ask. Rendezvous with Barton and Romanova in Belarus. I just received Intel that another super solider who's an American war hero who Hydra and the USSR fought over to be their own private nightmare to send to their enemies. It's project Зимний солдат (Winter Soldier). This is your specialty, cloak and dagger style. Widow will be off her game if I'm correct if she finds out who the soldier is." "Who is it?" "James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, Rogers, best friend. I'm keeping him out of it until we get him back."
The couple left shortly after their chat, and Fury called Hawkeye and the Black Widow over to send them on an espionage specialty mission to Belarus. Hermione went with her Uncle Thor back to the palace for a couple of days and bonded with her new family. All of the team went back to Earth a few days later and business resumed as usual.
Hela returned to her domain of Helheim shortly after the feast. She was fuming, how dare that impudent mortal tramp marry into the family, especially after the way that she insulted Hela, Goddess of the dead? She would see about that she thought. She called out to a project of hers. Red tinged soul shards came floating up to her. She had a soul to release and restore. She cackled "Let's see how smug she'll be when her former master and lord comes back…"