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Chapter 11

Time passed by quickly, with no more sign of Dumbledore or Molly, or anyone else for that matter. A few wizarding children across the world were marked, and true to the word of the two Vampyre councils, wizarding adults were allowed nowhere near them afterwards and would not be until they completed the change. While relations between wizards and Vampyres were tense, the peace was holding, each ministry hoping to avoid a war- especially one which would also involve Asgardians. No human wizard government wanted a war with the gods against them.

Both Asta and Hermione were progressing with their studies and with mastering their new abilities, with the help of their soul mates. They were also coming out of their shells, and being more open with those around them. This was progress and their mentors stopped worrying so much. And then there was their physical development. That the two fledglings were craving was a wonderful sign. Both had admitted to drinking from their soul mates, and were starting to sense their presence, even when they were far away- that they had imprinted was not doubted, but that could only help them in this case.

Both were catching up to their peers in their studies and had entered full classes, but with a few extra sessions, just to be sure nothing was missed, while they also continued practising their hobbies. Hermione was singing more, and around more people now, as well as making progress on writing a book on experiences of muggle born wizards and witches in the magical world. There were a few other vampires she could go to for that information. She hoped to be able to get it to those entering the wizarding world so they would be prepared for the animosity they would face. Asta was learning to play the violin as well as the piano now, and found she was preferring the string instrument. While she enjoyed the piano, it was easier to practise the violin, due to being able to take it anywhere. She still enjoyed the piano, but she was progressing further with the violin. Music was helping her organise her thoughts and calm her when she was stressed. She had been borrowing one from the music rooms for now, but no one seemed to mind. She treated it well, and if anyone else needed it, she gave it back for that period, knowing that she was allowed to keep practising with it during the other times.

Yule was just around the corner, something both sisters were looking forward to, but neither knew how it would go, or what they would be doing. House of Night yuletide celebrations were something neither had experienced, but both of their soul mates were expected to return home for their own celebrations. It had been a while since both brothers had left for an extended period of time. They were both surprised when Thor and Loki had asked them to come to Asgard the day after Yule itself, when celebrations were still ongoing in the citadel. They knew both fledglings wanted to spend yule at the House of Night, but they wanted them to experience celebrations on Asgard as well. They had apparently ran it past Morgana and Athena as well, and received a positive response. Should the girls agree, then arrangements would be made for four adult Vampyres to also accompany them, so that they could spend more time away from the school with less chance of rejecting the change.

Both of them had thought it was a wonderful idea, and it meant that there would only be a day where they were apart. And the chance to get to explore a new world would be an amazing experience. The Yule celebrations saw trees being decorated throughout the House of Night. The ritual on Yule itself was followed by a large feast. While food was good everyday of the year, this was spectacular. Asta went for the goose dinner, while Hermione chose the duck option and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. But both were anticipating tomorrow when they would be reunited with their soulmates and get the chance to explore a new realm.

"I can't believe you're going to miss the Dark Daughters ritual tomorrow night! It will be the first you have missed since your initiation!" Celeste said to them as they talked over dinner.

Asta, occupied with a mouthful of the tender goose breast shrugged apologetically, leaving Hermione to answer. "We know, but this is a chance we just can't pass up. Besides, considering our connections to them, it's to be expected that, somepoint in the future, we will be spending quite a bit of time with our soulmates in their home."

"I understand," Celeste nodded. "And I really envy you the chance to visit another realm. But we will be missing two important members of our circle tomorrow."

Asta looked up and grinned as she saw Sif enter the dining room, and waved to the warrior. The dark haired woman smiled and headed for their table. She had offered to remain with the coven to watch over them, knowing how important both fledglings were. She had heard the talk of the courtiers the few times she had returned home. These two being the soul mates of the princes would form an alliance between Asgard and Olympus. The two realms rarely had contact, since the few times they had it had almost resulted in war. Nyx was now one of the strongest in Olympus, thanks to her prevalence in other realms, and as such held in high regard. A true, strong peace was finally in reach with the realm which could be a real threat to their people, and perhaps then, following that, strong allies. She had also heard the mutterings of Thanos being on the rise, searching for the infinity stones. They may need every person they could get should those rumours prove true.

But protecting the two were easy. They were both likable enough, and she held them in high regard. They had both fought to protect each other and other innocents in a war, when they could have just run from it. But they had not. Besides, She Knew Thor and Loki would be unbearable all through the celebrations if someone they trusted were not there to protect their soul mates. Besides, it was only for one Yuletide. The Warriors three would take the next three, should the girls remain for their coven's celebrations. And she got on well with the people here too. The warriors welcomed her participation in training and none seemed to wonder why she had chosen the route of a warrior, as some did in other realms. Less so, now at home, but she remembered the opposition to her donning armour instead of dresses.

"Hello Sif, how was your patrol?" Hermione asked in greeting.

Sif sat down and someone appeared with a plate for her, filled with the meal she had requested earlier. She nodded in thanks before answering Hermione's question.

"As quiet as always," Sif said. "I do believe the ones attempting this have decided to back off. For now at least. No doubt learning that the threat to their lives was serious was more than enough to get them to rethink their plans. If we hear from them again, it will be quite a while in the future, I am sure."

"Oh good, I could do with some peace and quiet," Asta said.

"How was your ritual?"

"Very good," Hermione answered. "The sermon was very enlightening."

"Where did you disappear off to for those hours, brother?" Thor asked, finally locating Loki in his chambers, wrapping a long package.

"I had some business to attend to," Loki answered, not looking up. He was sure Asta would like the gift he had commissioned for her.

"On Yule? It is a time for relaxation! Not business!"

"I needed to do it before I saw Asta again," Loki said, finally looking at his brother.
"Another present for her?"

"Not quite. And it is certainly not something she will hear about from me," he smirked.

The police officers at the scene were horrified at the crime scene in the small, nice, area. Until now, crime had been limited to vandalism and some underage drinking, but this was horrifying. The two victims had been found spread eagle on their stomachs, eyes and mouths wide in terror and pain, frozen there in death. Their ribs had been pulled out of their spines like bloodied wings and there was blood and organs all around them.

"I'm surprised no one heard them," the coroner said. "They were most certainly alive for quite a bit of this process. No doubt they were screaming through most of it."

"I'm going to start asking the neighbours. See what may have been seen, or heard," one officer said, glad of an excuse to get out of there.

Asta and Hermione both gaped at the sight in front of them. The glittering bridge stretched out in front of them, leading to the towering golden city. "It's beautiful," Hermione breathed. Asta merely nodded.

"I am glad you like it!"

Both of them tore their eyes away from the sight to see Thor and Loki approaching them. The Warriors Three remained on their horses, while others were present for them and Sif as well as Athena, Dorian, Hestia and Jason, the four vampires sent to accompany them, to ensure they did not reject the change.

"Welcome to Asgard," Thor added to his earlier statement, grinning. He caught Hermione in a tight hug.

Loki approached Asta, and she hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her, glad she was regularly initiating contact now. She was not rejecting the bond between them. He was sure the therapy sessions he knew she went to were helping her a great deal. He felt his magic finally relax and knew she would be feeling something similar, especially considering the Imprint between them. He had seen the awe on her face and hoped she would come to love his home. He wanted her to find a home here too. Somewhere completely disconnected from what she had experienced in her past life. He was sure he could entice her to live here after she had completed the change. Especially should this first visit go well.

"I missed you," she murmured quietly. It had only been a day, but she really had.

"And I you," he replied, just as quietly, before looking up and addressing all the new arrivals. "Come, rooms have been prepared for you all and then I think a tour is in order. There are also still plenty of festivities on going, which I am sure you will enjoy." With that, they headed for the horses that the Warriors Three were keeping an eye on.

Hermione and Asta each had their own rooms here, but they were right next door to each other, and in the same wing as their soul mates. The same could be said of the rooms of the other four vampires. It had obviously been stressed that there was a great need for them to remain close to the fledglings. The room was huge and consisted of a living room, study, a bedroom and a bathroom.

"This is wonderful," she said.

"And yours any time that you visit. It will be kept aside for you, and the same for Hermione's. No guest will have this room. It is yours," Loki said as she wandered, looking at everything. There were already a couple of Asgardian style gowns in the wardrobe, she noticed, but it was the wrapped present on the desk in the study that stopped her.

"You didn't," she said, turning to look at him.

Loki smiled. "I had to. It is Yule, after all. Go on, open it."

Before moving to open it, Asta put her satchel on the desk and opened it. She pulled out a present and offered it to him, smiling. "I think you'll like it."

He shook his head. He should have guessed she would expect nothing but would have gotten something for him in spite of that. He closed the distance and accepted the parcel, kissing her lightly. "Thank you." He made no move to open it just yet, indicating to her present instead.

Asta opened it, finding a finely carved dark wood box. Opening it, she gasped. "Oh Loki, it's beautiful, thank you." Inside the box was a beautifully made Violin and bow, each made of what seemed to be the same wood as the box. She carefully picked the instrument and bow up, placing the violin under her chin and placing the bow to the strings. Playing a few short notes told her it was perfectly tuned. She looked up at him and smiled widely, before placing it back in its box.

"I love it, thank you!"

He smiled and nodded. "I am glad," he said. "It was difficult figuring out what you would like, until your sister mentioned that the one you had was something you were merely practising on."

"It is wonderful. Now I can give that one back to the music department fully."

"There is some sheet music in the top right draw of the desk. They were composed by some of Asgards finest. I thought you might enjoy learning some new music," he added.

"Yes, I was wondering if I could ask about that. You know me well. Thank you. Now, are you going to open yours?"

He smiled at her, before pulling the paper away, revealing a box. Opening it, revealed a book nestled in velvet. It was obviously very old, but also very well preserved.

"It is a book written by Lilith, the Vampyre who created our High Council and unified our people in the eighth century. It is a rare text, but goes quite in depth on our people. The books you've so far had access to, I am told, don't quite cover everything. That will. Morgana pointed me in its direction. Until I acquired it, this book has spent the last few decades in the San Clemente Island Library."

He gently opened its first pages, seeing that the book was hand written. He was sure that this book would be treasured by her people. That she had acquired it to gift it to him was touching. Loki smiled widely at her. "I will read this from cover to cover and keep it safe. Thank you, Asta. It is a gift I appreciate." Anything to further understand what she was going through with the change and what she would later become was a great boon.

Hermione was in a daze at the sight of the jewellery Thor had given her. It had to cost a fortune for the pieces to be made. There was a necklace, earrings and bracelet in the set, as well as a silver belt with an ornate dagger sheath and dagger that came with it.

"This is too much!" She gaped.

He shook his head. "No, it is not. Besides, each piece has an enchantment on them for your protection. Even if you were only wearing the earrings you would be protected. And with the dagger you will have something else you can protect yourself with. I even asked that they forge it so that you can channel your magic and other abilities through it."

Thor knew there would be times where he would not be there to protect her. Knowing she had some other protection from him would ease his mind during that time. Especially as the craftsmen of Asgard were the greatest in the Nine Realms. No wizards spell could get passed the protective magic on these.

Hermione looked at him and smiled softly. She knew he was unlikely to back down on this, so she put the belt on. She would save the rest for special occasions. They were far too fine for anything else. He grinned and she pushed his present across to him. He opened it to find an ornate mirror.

"I have the other one. They are communications mirrors. No matter if you are here, or anywhere else, we can always talk now."

Thor scooped her into another tight hug. "I did not know such a device existed. This is an amazing gift, Hermione. I am happy you knew of these."

Asta still felt full. It seemed food was prevalent in Yuletide celebrations everywhere, and whenever she turned around, it seemed someone else was urging her to try new food. They returned home a week later, but she had enjoyed every moment of her time in Asgard. She had been introduced to both Odin and Frigga, a meeting which had luckily gone well. And since then, Frigga had asked both sisters to spend some time with her, which they had done, speaking with the Queen for a long time, getting to know her. Asta just hoped she had liked them. It had seemed that way.

The Bifrost touched down and this time they had been accompanied back by their soul mates. Morgana was waiting on the group, frowning.

"What is wrong?" Athena asked.

"The police are here," Morgana answered, before looking to Asta. "Vernon and Petunia Dursley have been found dead, and they wish to speak to you."

A/N Please review!