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Chapter 6

Brutus, who had been one of the warriors on duty during the day, agreed to drive them into town. When he dropped them off, the two made their way to their destination and saw Thor and Loki waiting for them outside, but this time wearing normal clothes. The armour and leather would have attracted attention, Asta supposed. "Afternoon," she said, as they approached the two brothers.

"Good afternoon, my lady," Loki answered in greeting. "Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough." He arched an eyebrow at the lie. It was a good one, but still a lie.

"And you, Lady Hermione?" Thor asked her.

"The same as Asta. How are you both?"

"We are good. But I am curious about the disappearance of your marks," Thor answered.

"School rules state that we have to hide them when going into the town and other areas when we are likely to be seen. Animosity like we discussed last night plays a factor in that. Shall we go inside?" Hermione gestured to the café.

"Of course," Thor said, about to open the door when Asta beat him to it, opening it and going in. It was an easy statement to read. She was used to doing things for herself and would be damned if she let anyone take that from her. They grabbed seats and ordered food and drinks.

"Do all Vampyres hide their marks when leaving the House of Night in the day or just fledglings?" Loki asked them quietly.

"Just fledglings," Hermione replied. "A full grown Vampyre is strong enough and powerful enough to not really have to worry about an attack. Fledglings are another matter. We are considerably weaker and more vulnerable. Even a trauma like a broken leg has been known to lead to the fledgling who received it rejecting the change, if not carefully and properly dealt with. Full Vampyres know how to deal with injured fledglings to increase their chances of survival."

"Ah, this could cause some problems," Loki said.

"Why?" Asta asked, taking a sip of her tea.

"We have quite a few enemies. Should they learn of you, that we have any sort of connection that can be used against us, they would not hesitate to harm you to get to us," he explained, obviously thinking it over.

"Don't stress over it, we aren't exactly strangers to homicidal maniacs trying to kill us," she told him drolly.

"How so?" Thor rumbled, face darkening. "Before we were marked, the both of us were part of a hidden community of wizards."

"The ones that hide in places like Diagon Alley?" Loki clarified.

Both of them nodded before Asta continued. "There was a war going on and we were caught up in it for years, fighting, even when most lived in blissful ignorance. Being marked was the chance at a fresh start. When entering the House of Night, that fresh start is offered to all. Even the chance to change their names."

"Did you?" Loki asked.

"I did. Hermione kept hers. I used to be Sophia Potter. We're familiar with being targets. Just be sure that if you think there's a threat you give us all the details."

"That'll be refreshing," Hermione snorted. "We've never gone into anything with all the details before."

"If we had we would have stayed away from the danger," Asta responded, grinning darkly. "We wouldn't have stumbled upon half as much if we knew everything others kept back from us 'for our own good.'"

"Asta has a knack for finding trouble. I tend to follow to keep her alive," Hermione said, dryly. "Life would have been very quiet if I hadn't."

"That troll found you, may I remind you. And you drew that werewolf towards us too!"

"The first one wasn't my fault. I didn't know one of our teachers would let one loose in the school! And Remus was going right for your past self and Sirius, I had to do something."

"Troll?" Thor asked.

"Werewolf?" Loki demanded.

"Long stories. No doubt most of it is in a book in Flourish and Blotts by now," Asta told them. "They never thought my private life should stay private."

"So, if we learn of a threat to you, we tell you everything we know," Thor clarified.

"It should help keep us out of trouble. As much as possible anyway. Asta is a danger magnet. Always has been."

"If these… exploits, are in fact written down, would you mind if we found these books and read them?" Loki asked.

"It'll be easier that way. Just get us copies of the same things you're reading so we can verify and discard things. Wizards have a tendency to miss some things out and completely make up others. If you start reading while we make our own way through, making up a list of things to tell you about that you wouldn't know thanks to the books, it should be easier than us just telling you everything. A lot of topics are… touchy and we'd rather deal with matters privately if we could."

"Of course," Thor nodded.

They talked for a while until Asta got a text message come through. She was surprised to see it was from Morgana. 'They are welcome here anytime, especially if it helps you and Hermione, Asta.'

"What is it?" Hermione asked her.

"Morgana," Asta told her, before looking up and across the table. "She says you are welcome to come to the House of Night any time you wish."

"So we will not have to continually find meeting places then? That is good," Loki nodded. "I am sure we can arrange to come some nights during the times you have nothing on, like after your classes."

"Are you free tonight?" Thor asked.

"We have our initiation into the Dark Daughters at one. That will probably last at least two hours. The ritual isn't long, but we've been told there's normally a party after any initiation," Hermione told him.

"The Dark Daughters is a group of fledglings, each of whom are talented and gifted in some way," Asta explained, seeing the curiosity on their faces. "It was formed so fledglings knew they did not need to face challenges alone. We were invited to join at Mabon, and tonight we will be initiated into the group."

"Though you could come after," Hermione suggested. "I'm sure Celeste and the others wouldn't mind."

Asta nodded. "She's right," she agreed.

"I thought we were going to read the books," Thor said as he followed his brother up the winding stairs of one of the palace towers.

"They told us they were alright with us learning the truth. This will simply make it easier for them. They will not need to relive the traumas in their pasts simply to correct mistakes in the books we read. Scrying the past will not tell us a false tale," Loki continued the upward walk, ignoring every room until they reached the very top of the tower. The room was empty except for a large orb containing a swirling mist of changing colours. "When we see them again later, we can tell them we watched the past instead of reading edited versions about it. They will not need to worry about correcting misconceptions this way, and can talk to us about the past entirely in their own time."

Thor sighed and nodded. "Very well. But I will not keep this from them."

"I had no intention of it," Loki told him, before striding to the orb. He waved his hand over it, concentrating on Asta Emrys, once Sophia Potter, and Hermione Granger, and the war and pain they had suffered to make them so weary, as he cast the revealing spell. The memories started off with the deaths of a young couple and the seeming death of their murderer, leaving a baby orphaned. Had they not heard the man call the woman, Lily and tell her to "take Sophia and run," they would have been confused.

"To have lost her parents so young, no wonder she changed her name," Thor said, but Loki shook her head.

"No, I think there is something else behind that," Loki replied, watching the orb carefully as the scene changed, and they saw her being left on a doorstep with nothing but a blanket and a letter. They would be here for a while.

The ritual was held close to a cliff. Celeste had prepared the alter and cast the circle, and called Asta and Hermione forward. "In memory of the sea-bound Isle of Skye where the Dark Daughters were born, I use seawater to cleanse the space around my sister candidates," she said, sprinkling the seawater from the goblet around them. She then used the spirit candle to light the bowl full of basil aflame. She allowed it to burn for a moment, before blowing it out so smoke remained. She encouraged the smoke around Hermione and Asta and spoke the next part of the ritual.

"Sweet basil exorcises negativity. As air carries basil around and through you, let any negatives be banished from your life." She then burnt and put out pine needles, holding out the bowl towards them. "Be brave and embrace your new destiny. You know Nyx is ever with you. Now, from this day forth, know that your sisters, the Dark Daughters, are also ever with you. If you are afraid, call on wind for a sister, and you will be answered. If you are lonely, go to a sister and you will know friendship. When you look in the eyes of another Dark Daughter, know that you see the love and compassion of Nyx reflected there."

She exchanged the bowl for the crystal ritual chalice filled with wine. She approached them and held it to them. "If you choose the pledge of Sisterhood, you will never truly be alone. What is your choice, Fledglings?"

Asta took the offered chalice. Smiling she spoke clearly. "I choose life!" She drank and handed it back to Celeste, who handed it to Hermione.

"I choose life!" Hermione repeated, smiling widely.

"Welcome to our sisterhood of life, love and happiness! Welcome, Dark Daughters!" The others all called out.

Asta and Hermione both said the words to close the ceremony and then the group converged on them, hugging them and welcoming them to the group. Slowly, they headed back to the House of Night, where the celebration would be held in the rec room. The food that had been prepared and supplied was wonderful and Asta and Hermione were really enjoying themselves. Celeste presented them both with a pair of earrings. Asta's were in the shape of music notes and contained crystals embedded in it. Hermione's also had crystals but were in the shape of cats. However, when Morgana and Athena appeared, they knew something was wrong. The two Vampyres pulled their fledglings to one side.

"What is it?" Asta asked.

"Thor and Loki are both here. Neither seem to be in a very good mood," Athena told them. "They also seem to believe you are both in danger." The two exchanged looks.

"We should see them. Find out what this is about. But not here," Asta said.

The others agreed. They told Celeste their reasons and left, promising to return if they could. Morgana led the way to her office. Loki was sat in a chair, and Thor was pacing, glaring as he did so. When they entered, Thor turned to the door and Loki stood. "If we could have a few moments in private, first, Priestesses, we would be very grateful," Loki said, smoothly.

The two women looked at their students, who exchanged a look before nodding. "Very well," Morgana said. "But we will be right outside and will return if we are needed."

When the door closed behind them Asta went straight in. "Right, what is it?"

Loki sighed. "It was easy to see that the subject of what you went through was a very difficult one for you both. I believed that it would be easier if we could find a way to have the truth of the situation without you needing to read twisted accounts of the truth to tell us what was true and what was false. You had agreed to it, but I thought if we knew, but you could then speak of it in your own time it would be easier for you both. Remove the pressure, so to speak."

Hermione groaned. "What did you do?"

"We used a Scrying stone, believing we would only see what you were alright with telling us at this point in time," Thor answered. His voice then took on more of a growling tone. "We saw more than we expected."

Asta dropped heavily into a seat, and placed her face into her hands. "You weren't meant to know about that."

Hermione sat down beside her and leant into her, letting out a small whimper. "Only three others know."

"We were going to tell you about the Scrying stone anyway, but we could not keep quiet on this. We did not want to hide that we had discovered this. I am sorry. I should have been more specific when casting the spell," Loki's tone was soft, but they could hear the undercurrent of steel. Both were angry at what they had discovered.

"Can we change the subject? You said we were in danger?" Hermione said, gathering her thoughts and looking up at them.

Thor nodded. "We quickly realised that not all threats to you were dead at the end of the war. In fact, many were in positions of power," he answered, looking solely at Hermione as he said the last part. He was obviously thinking of Edward Rosier, brother of the deceased Evan Rosier, both of whom were supporters of the Dark Lord. The still living brother had been her boss at the Ministry, Head of the Department of Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures. She had been his secretary, and unfortunately, a bit more. She shivered in revulsion as the memories began to push their way to the surface and swallowed back the bile, forcing the memories back down. They had a present threat to focus on.

"Go on," Asta prompted, wrapping her arm around Hermione. Both of them were used to being strong for one another.

"So we searched out any threats that might come at you from that front," Loki continued. "We found that Albus Dumbledore, Ronald and Molly Weasley have formed a plot to search the two of you out. Once you were found, their plan is to kidnap you both. They believe holding you Hermione hostage against Asta will have you agreeing to the marriage with Ronald Weasley and handing over your fortune."

"They are still pursuing that?" Asta asked. "What did they plan to do with Hermione if they succeeded?"

"Dumbledore apparently knows a few people in Amsterdam's magical equivalent of its Red Light District," Thor growled. "He believes you will fetch a high price." He practically spat the words out and had continued pacing. The air became heavy and both brothers' eyes widened as they saw the two fledglings react. Lightning began to ark off Hermione's skin and through her hair while green magic began pulsing around Asta. The door flew open and Morgana and Athena hurried in.

"We need to calm them both, quickly," Morgana said, heading for Asta as Athena did the same for Hermione.

"What happened?" Athena asked.

"We told them of a plot being made against them, to gain control of Asta and her fortune and sell Hermione after using her as a bargaining chip," Loki said, before explaining in depth. "Their powers are very similar to our own. Would you allow us to help bring their powers back under control so they do not hurt themselves?"

"Go ahead," Athena stepped aside.

Thor strode forward and placed his hands on Hermione's shoulders, before bending down so they were at eye level with each other. Loki moved behind Asta but also placed is hands on her shoulders and bent down, this time to speak quietly in her ear. "Asta I need you to calm down. We will protect you both and teach you to protect yourselves, but you need to be calm first. I can teach you things that no mortal wizard would ever believe possible, so that should Dumbledore come he will be no more than a fly to you. Take a deep breath and calm yourself." She started to do so, and he felt her powers beginning to retract. His shoulders relaxed slightly, knowing he would not need to cast a shield around her. Hermione on the other hand, may be a different matter altogether. He looked around and saw that Thor had it well in hand.

"Listen to me, Hermione. I will not allow any of this to happen to you, or Asta. You need to control your power, before you hurt someone. You and Asta are safe, I promise you that. Anyone attempting to take you would become quickly acquainted with Mjolnir. Please, calm down before you do harm to yourself or another." Slowly, the lightning faded.

She looked up at him, her eyes beginning to clear up. "Athena?"

"I am here, Hermione," Athena said, approaching and pulling her into a hug.

"Don't let them do that to Asta or me?"

"Never."

"I need to get some air," Asta said, just as Hermione asked "Can I get something to drink?"

"Of course, Asta," Morgana told her.

"I will have some drinks brought up," Athena said, leaving go of the young fledgling.

Asta stood. "May I accompany you, my lady?" Loki asked.

She looked at him for a moment, before she nodded. "Sure." She led the way out, squeezing Hermione's shoulder as she went, and made a bee line for the outside, and the gardens. Neither talked until they were sure they were alone outside. "Did you mean what you said? About teaching me?" Asta asked.

"Of course. You are being threatened and need to know defence. I know I cannot always be there to protect you. Besides, allowing others to fight for you is not really you, is it?"

"Not really, no," she said, hugging herself, and looking up at the stars as they walked. She was nervous around him still and did not really know how to approach the dormant bond between them. Perhaps this training would be something to help that.

Loki came to a stop. "My lady," he said, alerting her to his pause in movement. She turned to look at him, eyes weary. "I know your past is hard for you, especially to talk about. I will not ask you about it. Should you wish to talk about it, I am always ready to listen, but I will not push you. I want you to take things at a pace that is entirely comfortable to you. I do not wish to push you away. I will also never touch you without your permission, unless you are losing control like earlier, and I need to help you gain back control, or you are injured. I swear I will not hurt you and add to the pain you have endured. I will only help you ease it."

Asta's eyes were wide as she watched him. He really had no intention of pushing her into anything? She felt reassurance in her gut. She had the feeling her instincts, or perhaps Nyx, were telling her he was being honest. "Thank you. That means a lot to me," she nodded.

He smiled. "It is no problem."