Wow, I thought Sting of Love was my most popular Fanfic. Everyone is pretty excited about this! And so am I.

Disclaimer: Still do not own them, but If marvel had bought J.K. Rowlings works, this is how it would have played out.

Chapter One: The return of Loki

Among the heavens of Earth, beyond the understanding lies the realm of Asgard. The land of the Gods of what we once called Norse. One of the nine realms, Asgard was the home of many heroes and warriors, one of them being Midgard's hero, Thor.

The people of Asgard had been used to the fights that came and were now getting used to the peace once again. Occasionally, the Giants of Jotumheim attempt to breach the walls of Asgard or the most ancient of enemies such as Ymir or Surtur the fire demon would attempt to attack Asgard, but Odin, Thor, or the warriors of Asgard would stop them. At some point, enemies from even Midgard would somehow attempt to gain access to Asgard through their expertise in science. Doctor Doom has tried at some point as well as many other scientists whom have heard of the untold powers there from Loki. Many of the Red Skull's scientists have also made success in breaching the barriers of the nine realms and would have succeeded had the Avengers, especially Captain America, not interfered.

Despite all this drama, the people of Asgard would have preferred this over having to deal with a certain trickster giant-spawn. However, all good things must come to an end.

Heimdall stood at the rainbow bridge bifrost as he continues to remain vigilant and all-seeing to all threats to Asgard. To him, the days were like months and the months were years to him, especially for one who had no need to sleep at all. Despite this monotonous lifestyle, Heimdall stood tall and watchful.

It wasn't until he saw something at the distant that showed him that today would not be just another day. He spotted Asgard's greatest enemy slowly making his way to the entrance of their world. Not wanting to take any chances, Heimdall immediately called out the Gods to come forth.

OoooOoooO

Balder rushed to the halls of Asgard to speak to his ruler of news that would either be good news or bad depending on the point of views to the other citizens.

To Balder, and many would agree with him, this is bad news for Asgard.

"Loki has returned, sire." Balder stated as he kneeled before his lord. Odin immediately went from passive to have his single eye take a hard glint as an unreadable expression came across his face.

"Indeed?" he nonchalantly spoke.

Odin was both dreading and anticipating the day when his wayward son would return. After the last attempt to his throne, Odin had been so furious that he had almost sent his son away for good by sending him to a mortal but only this time with no conditions that would have him change back the way Thor had with Donald Blake. When he had thought of banishing Loki, his first thought was to find the most pathetic mortal he could find and show Loki a world where he had absolutely nothing and no one. But before he was about to send his soul away, a calming thought occurred to him.

Perhaps that had been a problem to begin with. Whenever he sent his son to exile it never seemed to work, in fact, they have made him worse. The only thing his punishments have taught him was to be sneakier this time. When Thor had become cold and arrogant, a behaviour that nearly instigated a war with the giants, it was with a heavy heart that Odin had his favoured son sent away to learn from his follies. So Odin, in all his wisdom, recalled when he had his favoured son Thor exiled to the mortal world in the form of a lame doctor, to teach him compassion, kindness and most of all, humility.

Now Thor was calmer, less arrogant and was friendly to his comrades. He had even learned that his son often visited the hospital where Donald Blake worked to entertain the sick children. The old Thor would never have considered it. He had no tolerance for children and when asked to see one, he would reply with a glare "I have no time to visit mere children; I have giants that need to be killed."

Needless to say, this new Thor was now a better son and the right mindset in ruling Asgard when he entered the Odinsleep.

Loki had been a bit more difficult to decide what to do. He wanted to find a way to wipe out the evil in his heart, have him learn what valour and honour was. He wanted his son to no longer see magic as a means to always get what he wanted or a way to toy with mortals and Asgardians alike, but as a tool used to help. He wanted him to learn that it had its time and place. He might even learn the virtues of love and compassion during his exiles.

So after careful searching through the lives of mortals, he finally found a perfect family: A Wizarding family known as the Potters. The last direct descendants to Godric Gryffindor, who was one of the few wizards he had in Valhalla, the Potters were from a family that valued light magic, doing the right thing, fighting for those that cannot fight themselves and above all, placing honour, family and duty above all others.

As he watched Dorea Potter nee Black give birth, Odin realized that the baby boy was stillborn, which made it all the more perfect for his plans. Rather than have Loki share a mind and body with another mortal the way Thor does with Donald Blake, Loki would be completely free and all his choices will be his to make. He would soon see if Loki can be redeemed without a mortal in his head pointing out the errors of his way. So he banished the screaming cursing God of mischief to the baby and watched with happiness as the joyful new parents named him James Charlus Potter.

That had been years ago and now Odin wished to see the results of his plan.

"Very well, let us go greet him." Odin rose to his feet and began to walk down the halls, Balder following him.

"Sire, Heimdall has also informed me he is not alone." He continued.

Odin frowned as he walked outside. It seems that he had hoped too soon. "Has he brought an army with him again?"

"Nay. A woman, a Midgard woman." Balder snorted with a shake of his head.

It never ceased to amaze him on how enormous Loki's appetites were. Loki's sexual appetite was almost as infamous as his appetite for food. And this was the god who actually raced against Volstagg and Thor in an eating contest, and won too. To this day, the royal cooks still feared Loki's stomach far more than any evil he's ever done.

Odin sighed; it seemed that Loki hadn't change much. He had put up with Loki's need for woman before (and he had the grandchildren to prove it.) He'll deal with this latest one when the situation was less tense. For now; he decided to meet with his son and see the results of his exile for himself.

OoooOoooO

A large assortment of gods and warriors appeared near the entrance of Bifrost, each of them waiting in trepidation for the self-appointed god of evil. Some, like the warriors three, had their hands on their weapons, waiting at a moment's notice to draw them out. Others, like Sif, were taking no chances and already had their weapons drawn out.

Heimdall sighed as he waited for Loki, the god was certainly taking his time coming. Perhaps he feared Odin's reaction to seeing him back, but the prince of Asgard was walking in a way that needled Heimdall. It was just so unlike Loki to walk in the manner. He had none of his confidence or his strut. His head was down making it almost impossible to see his face, but Heimdall was sure there was something not quite right about Loki at the moment.

Ignoring Loki for now, he decided to see who the woman in his arms was.

Heimdall looked closer at the woman in Loki's arms. She appeared to be a petite mortal, about five feet two inches, tiny compared to Loki's six foot five inches. She had a heart-shaped face with long ruby hair that stood in contrast with pale complexion though he saw a few freckles on her cheeks that would make her look adorable if she smiled. She was wearing a long sleeve green dress that hugged her body, showing her curvy and well-proportioned body. She was not built to be a warrior as it was clear that her body showed no signs she had done battle, giving her a fragile look.

The woman was without a doubt very beautiful. She could probably rival Freya the goddess of love or Amora the Enchantress. It was no wonder Loki had brought her with him, not that Loki would be allowed to keep her here: Odinlaw prevents mortals from coming into Asgard.

Heimdall narrowed his eyes. Strange on how Loki would carry the young woman. Loki, being a bit of a sloth in physical labour, would have forced the woman to walk beside him. In fact, he noticed that the woman had not moved at all in her position through in the entire trek. It can't be comfortable for her, especially the way Loki lets her left arm limply hang on her side. He was also holding her far too tightly, almost crushing the woman to his chest. While Loki may not be their greatest warriors, he still had enough strength to go toe-to-toe with his brother Thor. The way he was holding her, she might not even breathe very well.

Heimdall then realized she wasn't breathing at all.

"By Odin's beard..." He gasped in shock as he realized what Loki was bringing with him.

"What is it, Heimdall?" one of the warriors asked as he squinted to see the endless rainbow bridge. The crowd could see someone walking through the fog and heading towards tem, but it was still too far off to tell. Heimdall had better eyes then anyone.

"Is something the matter?" Balder asked as he finally arrived with Odin.

"I was mistaken, Balder. Loki is alone." Heimdall stated.

OoooOoooO

Thor sighed as he waited for his brother to return. While he was sceptical about Loki changing, he felt he had to see for himself what being in a mortal had been like. Perhaps now that Loki had been in mortal's shoes he would not underestimate them anymore. Of course, that would make future battles with him and his team of avengers far more difficult.

The gods waited impatiently as Loki would make his return. Depending on what he brought back with him would tell them his intention. Sif was curious on as to why her brother Heimdall looked so sad now; he even stopped clenching his sword. Fandral looked bored while Volstagg had his hand on his sword, ready to fight for Asgard if necessary. Hogun simply stood behind them, but they knew he was waiting to fight at a moment's notice. The Valkyries, lead by Brunnhilde, stood tense with the look of battle-lust ready to pour out of their eyes. Thor felt Odin's hand on his shoulder and saw from a side-long glance that he was tense as well.

Finally, Loki came into view. It was not difficult to forget what he looked like. He was in his green and gold royal garments that emphasized his lean yet muscled body with his yellow cape waving behind him. His unmistakable horned head set (which seemed to have gotten larger) was still on his head. His golden boots trudged on the rainbow bridge.

The only thing different was Loki's hair. He normally kept it very long and blond in a single ponytail. But right now, it was raven-black. Loki had the gift of shape change, so changing his hair color was of no difficulty for him. As a child, many of the warriors remembered how he would spontaneously change it when he was bored, even to the color pink. He had finally kept it blond as it was the hair color many Asgardians had, (though Sif insisted it was to tease her as a reminder of the fact that she no longer possessed her beloved blond locks.)

If Loki changed his hair back, what did this mean? Did this mean he no longer wished to be an Asgardian? What could that simple change represent? These were the thoughts of many of the warriors.

Thor and Odin were the only ones who understood the meaning: Loki was depressed. They recalled moments in his childhood when Loki could no longer keep a color or length in his hair when something would sadden him, such as when a long-time crush would not reciprocate his feelings or when someone dear (though they were few) had died. What had happened on Midgard?

It wasn't until Loki came closer that Fandral was the first to notice what it was that he was carrying in his golden gloved hands.

"Heimdall, have you gone blind? There is a woman in his arms, just as you said before!"

Heimdall was looking at Loki with pity, before looking at the fairest of the three. "No, you do not see."

By then, Loki was close enough for everyone to take a good look at what he had.

"What do you mean, brother?" Sif asked with a frown. Her sword was placed by her side as it seemed unlikely that Loki would attack with someone in his arms. Loki needed both hands to perform magic. "There is a woman in his arms right there..." her voice trailed off as Loki was finally at the entrance of the bridge. Loki still had his head down and the shadows from his horned headset made seeing them far more difficult. But she was looking at the woman clutched protectively on his chest.

The crowd realized that she was not among the living.

Sif jumped to the wrong conclusion as righteous fury covered her face, "What evil have you done now, Loki?"

Loki did not answer. In fact, he had not even slowed his step. He continued walking as if he were utterly alone, which was how he was feeling at the moment.

Sif scowled and redraw her sword out, which signalled all the warriors to pull out theirs. "Answer me, Loki! What have you done to this woman?" Again, he made no response. He was not even aware of the swords aimed at him. He didn't even acknowledge the cut from the cheek when Sif pressed it on him.

"Put your swords away!" Odin ordered as he saw the scene was getting out of control. Surely they would not attack Loki when he held a woman's body in his arms. Besides, he could not have killed the woman. Why bring her with him for all to see?

"My lord?" Sif questioned.

"Do as I command!" he ordered. He turned his attention back to his son only to see he was aimlessly wandering off with the woman's body. The grieving prince was not even aware that there was a crowd blocking him from going to Asgard.

Thor had pushed himself through the crowd and had attempted to reach his brother to find out what happened and to stop him from going any further. As his hand reached for Loki's shoulder, he stumbled slightly from escaping the crowd of warriors and his hand landed on the woman's forehead.

That was when awareness returned to Loki's eyes.

The only warning Thor had was Loki's magical aura suddenly flaring to life before his world exploded in pain and he was on the ground. Feeling a swelling on his right eye and Loki's arm still shot straight out with his hand in a fist, Thor came to the conclusion that Loki had punched him.

Loki did nothing else other then readjusts his hold on the young woman and held her tightly to her chest, conveying his protectiveness to all those around him. His eyes were dead and his face seemed blank again. Then without a word of warning, Loki disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

'Oh brother. What has fate done to you?' Thor thought.

OoooOoooO

'How could this have happened?' Loki's thoughts continued to ask once again. 'We were supposed to live through this together! We were supposed to watch Harry grow up and receive his first Hogwarts letter. The fidelius was supposed to have kept us safe. How could it have gone wrong?'

Lily, the stars of his heaven, the queen of his heart, his equal and his and comrade-in-arms. Lily, his wife and the Lady of the house of Potter, was dead.

How could someone like Lily die? She was kind, wise, protective, loving, and beautiful. She was what mortal women; especially witches should achieve to be? Why would any god or goddess allow someone like Lily to die?

'Easily! You are a god, and you let her die!'a treacherous thought shouted in his head. Loki felt the need to cry build up again before he pushed it back. There was no time! He would do that as soon as he took Lily to the tombs of Ice Queens.

As he continued his journey, his mind reflected what had happened mere hours ago

OooOooO

"Lily, it's him! Take Harry and run!" he shouted, as he pushed her to the stairs. He kicked himself for having left his wand anywhere but his side. Mad-Eye would be furious about to see him like this! But he had been so sure that they would be safe, the odds of him finding him had been slim. Either they had found out about Peter and tortured the information out of him, or the rat had pulled the wool over everyone's eyes.

Voldemort had not even wasted time and had hit him with a well-placed reducto. He then left him for dead as the world around him dimmed.

"Please, not Harry! Not Harry!"

Lily?... no...

"Stand aside, stupid girl!"

"Please! Kill me instead! Kill me and spare him!"

No... spare them both... no... Lily...

His vision and his hearing grew dim and James was succumbing to his final sleep. But fate did not seem to be done with James Potter, before he would die, he saw a vision.

"What's this, What is this? A rainbow bridge? A large city in the stars? What is this place? Is it heaven?" he asked as he felt his body slowly shut down. Suddenly as more thoughts came back; his memories came back in a rushing surge, along with the feeling back in his legs.

These are not his thoughts! Those are the dreams of that American journalist, Harris Hobbs. Why did he have his dreams of someone else? Wait a minute...

James opened his eyes, his dark brown eyes suddenly turned as green as the killing curse.

He was not James Charlus Potter of the house of Potter. He was no mere mortal at all! He was Loki, the God of Mischief, son of Odin, Master of Sorcery and the prince of Asgard!

As soon as his memories returned, the dying body of James Potter disappeared in a flash of light, it's place was the tall lean self appointed prince of evil, in all his glory. Loki stood up as he remembered everything. But as angry as he was at the moment with his father and Thor, an explosion caught his mind and he remembered the situation.

"Lily! Harry!" He shouted as he floated towards the ceiling and went through it. The first sight that greeted him was a crib with a crying Harry.

"Harry!" Loki felt a wave of relief as he scooped the boy up and hugged him for all his worth, uncaring of the fact that Harry was currently screaming in his ears, reminding him that the boy inherited his mother's set of lungs. To him, a screaming Harry meant an alive Harry.

"It's all right, Harry. It's all right." Loki soothed his son's back as he went from screaming like a banshee to soft little whimpers. Loki pulled him away and looked at his tear-stained face. There was a particularly ugly scar on his face that would simply not do for a child of Loki. He'll have to ask Lily if they had any...

"LILY!" He realized he hadn't seen her. "Harry, where's Lily?" He mentally slapped himself for asking. As if he could answer that.

Harry sobbed as he twisted his body to look where he saw his mommy was. "Mama! Mama!"

With Harry in his hands, Loki moved to the other side of the crib. What he saw would be in his nightmares for a good long time.

Lying on the floor face down was lily, her eyes opening and staring blankly at the ceiling.

Loki's wail of denial would cause many ghost stories to come on this black Halloween.

OoooOoooO

Loki closed his mind of such painful memories. He did not want to think about his life as James Potter, nor how her death had hit her harder than he ever dreamed any woman's death would. He had married before and had even taken in mistresses, but none of them ever compared to Lily. None of them could ever love or understand him the way she did. Most of all; none have ever shown bravery the way she had when facing her death.

Loki recognized the protection spell Lily had used on Harry. It was an ancient blood rune spell similar to the one Frigga used on Balder (though not as strong), that had been almost lost for years had Lily not rediscovered it. It was a simple spell with her blood that required forming the runes with her blood, a chanting spell/prayer to for the goddess Freya the goddess of love, most of all, a live sacrifice. Not just any sacrifice. A sacrifice made out of love. Lily had to activate the spell by willingly allowing herself to die for Harry.

Voldemort had not counted on that and now he was dead; but so was Lily now.

'Voldemort should consider himself very fortunate that he had died before I could have gotten my hands on him. Had I been seconds earlier, I would have made him beg for the release of death before dragging him to Niffleheim!' Loki thought as dark aspects of his personality started to make a return. He slowly recalled what he did after finding her body.

OoooOoooO

While holding both Lily and Harry close to him, Loki considered what to do next. He could not go back to the wizarding world, that was for sure. He did not belong there anymore as he was not mortal. Asgard was calling to him more than ever.

He looked at the now quiet Harry, who was eyeing his golden horns curiously. The boy no doubt wondered if he should chew on them or not. Loki looked at his son touch his horned helmet and tried to pull the horn closer to him. Loki heard the distinct sound of Sirius' motorcycle. Loki wanted to run to his best friend and hold him, begging him for reassurance that all will be well. But he knew Sirius would not recognize him. Even if he shape-changed himself into James, Sirius' animagnus form had granted him heightened senses that would allow him to know when there was an impostor. Padfoot would smell a different scent and also no doubt wonder about the wreckage and his blood, blood that he lost great deal. This reminded Loki again that he was no longer part of this life.

Loki had made a very painful decision on what to do now.

He placed Harry back on the crib and gave him one last kiss on his forehead, where the lightning bolt scar was. Then he had placed a large hand on his son's head and chanted a sleeping spell on him. Harry had fallen into a peaceful sleep. Before disappearing with his wife, he heard the distinct howl of pain from his best friend.

OoooOoooO

Loki allowed two tears to fall from his eyes as he remembered leaving his son. It was bad enough he had failed protecting Lily, but he had willingly left Harry behind. But he kept telling himself that it was for the best. On Midgard, Harry will be loved by all. He will be the surviving son to the witch that had finally killed the stupid mortal monstrosity. Sirius will care for him as stated in his will and he and Remus will raise Harry together in his manor. It would ease their weeping hearts to know that at least, James lived on in Harry.

Loki knew he could not bring him to Asgard as the citizens would hate him for who his father is. They had always hated Loki before. As a child, none of them had a problem reminding him that he was no true son of Odin and was the son of monstrous ugly giants. Harry would have the same problem and be treated like a lesser being by the people, which would make him resentful and bitter.

Like he used to be.

Even if there was a way to protect him from that life, there was no guarantee for Odin to allow him to live with him, no matter who his father is. In fact, Odin might not even allow him in Asgard because of the fact he was the father.

Odin was not one that believed in being close to family if he saw them as a threat. Loki's children Fenris, Jormungandr and Hel were living examples of that. Poor Harry would most likely be sent to another world or given to the giants.

Loki continued his long journey after he disappeared from the shocked warriors of Asgard. Loki had appeared in the lands of his denied birthright, Jotumheim. To Loki, this was no social visit. He was here to place his queen to her final resting place.

OoooOoooO

The crowd had become silent at Loki's sudden disappearance. Balder was the first to talk.

"My lord, what do we do now?" Loki was not acting the way he should. He seemed so ... un-Loki-like. Despite the fact that he was not fond of the god of mischief anymore than anyone else was, the look on the god's face was most disturbing.

Odin had watched with his heart breaking as his son had walked past everyone as if he were one of the living dead of Niffleheim. Seeing him disappear without a word was even worse than any curse or cruel lie that Loki had ever given him. Loki had acknowledged no one, not even Thor, who had an impressive black eye. His son was trapped in the turmoil of this woman's death.

"Milord?" Balder asked.

Odin shook his head and tried to get the image of his broken son out of his mind before he continued. "We wait until he returns from whatever it is he'll be doing." He turned to live when Thor put his hand on his shoulder.

"Father, when I stumbled near Loki, I had noticed something on the woman. She had a ring on her wedding finger." Thor said as he recalled seeing the simple wedding band with small runes on them.

Odin turned to looked at Thor when Heimdall decided to join in.

"Despite wearing his gloves, I saw a similar outline on Loki's hand, where his wedding finger is."

The warriors were shocked. Hogun was the one who answered everyone's thoughts. "Well, we at least know who she is to Loki. Now the question is what happened to her?"

That was a question that only Loki would answer, and the gods doubted highly that Loki would freely give them this.

Odin nodded as and quickly sent everyone on their way. Heimdall went back to guard bifrost and Thor went back to Midgard. When Odin returned to his empty throne room, he finally buried face his hands. He cursed mortal women of Midgard for seducing his sons away. Bad enough that this Jane Foster continues to ensnare Thor's heart and divide his loyalty between Midgard and Asgard, but now this dead woman had died and broken his son, Loki. He had sent Loki away only for him to come back in such a state that he doubted he would ever recover from this pain.

No, Loki didn't return home at all. Loki was as dead as his mortal wife, the body that came home simply doesn't know it yet. When that woman had died, she had stolen Loki's soul to follow her to the afterlife.

'What have I done? What have I done to you, Loki?' Odin thought as he sat sadly on his throne.

OoooOoooO

Among the realm of Jotumheim, a lone figure flew to the highest mountains where the sacred tombs of the Ice queens of Jotumheim resided. It was powerfully enchanted by Ymir's powers to allow only those of royal blood to enter, in case thieves or infidels had ideas to desecrate it.

For giants, though they valued gold and food, they valued their wives most of all; the more beautiful, the better. For they loved beautiful things.

It was fortunate that he could enter. Although Loki would never be recognized as an heir due to his diminutive height and his citizenship in Asgard, he was still the royal son of the late king Laufey, and as such, could enter the tombs.

If any of the gods had the ability to enter, they would not have believed that the giants were capable of anything other than destruction. They may not have been the fine craftsmen as dwarves were, but the splendour would have impressed them as well.

The walls were made of an ice gold color with silver statues of the first queen, Ymir's wife. The ceiling was made of ice crystal chandeliers that whenever the sun would mage to hit it, would cause the room to light up beautifully. The floor was made entirely out of ice yet it reflected your reflection off that made one believe that they were walking on a mirror. Across from him were giant crystals that were actually the tombs with the queens all displayed to show the royal family why they were chosen as queens. At their feet were offerings made by their royal kin, whom often prayed to them that they hoped to find a mate worthy enough to the queens of the past. The cave was much more than a tomb for them; it was a place of worship where they were treated like goddesses.

Loki looked at the woman who should have been born a goddess. Lily had all the qualities to have been one: she was beautiful, intelligent, honourable, brave and will to do anything for her family. Loki would never forget how she gave her life to save Harry's, telling that monster to take her life and not his. It was because of her his son was now alive and well.

As custom required it, Loki walked past all the queens to make to view the next new resident he passed his Grandmother and mother. As she was the last queen there, Loki kneeled before his mother and held Lily high above his head.

"Here is Lily Potter, the worthy wife of your son, Loki Laufeyson , may she bring beauty and wisdom among the house of ice queens." Though he had held resentment for a mother that never protected him from Laufey's rage for having a giant runt, he loved her enough to still ask for blessings.

Standing up, He prepared the ceremony. He first removed Lily's Midgard clothing and shoes, leaving her completely naked. With his magic, he had her dressed in a short sleeved green Asgardian dress with gold lining and cuts on the side. She had on long yellow boots and her legs were bare. He then pulled out jewellery from a time/space pocket and decorated her neck with a heavy golden necklace and thick good bracelets. Next were a pair of diamond earrings, not from his own treasury, but from those of his mortal mother, Dorea Potter (the only one who he considered a true mother.) with a wave, he decorated her nails with a light shade of green and a touch of pink lipstick. Pulling his dagger out, He reached out and carefully cut a small piece of her hair, which he pocketed away.

Tradition also dictated to give a last kiss to the queen but Loki couldn't do it. He wanted to remember her warm and sweet, not cold and dead. After making sure everything was in proper order, Loki closed his eyes, mindful of his tears dropping and allowed her body to float to the walls. Taking a deep breath, he started the ceremony. He lifted his hand up and chanted:

"Ymir! Father to all, ruler of ice, creator of thy kind. I beg thee to grant the beauty of ice to the woman of thy unworthy childe! Let the ice queen of Giants remain within her frozen beauty. Bless her with thy power and may she reign forever in the hall of queens." He took a deep gulping breath before he finished the spell.

"And may all remember her, queen of my heart."

As Loki finished chanting, tomb gave off a blue glow and the room flared to life as ice encased what should have been Loki's queen. There Lily will lay for all eternity, forever cold, forever beautiful.

Seeing this, the once god of evil fell on his knees and finally wept. His wails were nearly drowned by the strong winds that could be heard outside, though those outside could practically feel his despair. He cried for all the mistakes he made when he first courted her. He cried for all the times wasted as an Auror when he should have been there for her. He cried when he remembered all her tears, from when she lost her parents to her older sister's disownment. He cried when he recalled he was responsible for some of her tears, he cried when he remembered her injured or the times the death eaters almost had her. He cried of the loss of ever hearing her laugh again or ever seeing her smile. He cried on how he had not saved her, but above all, he cried that he would not have his last remaining link with him.

Only the thought that Sirius was caring for Harry brought peace to his heart. No doubt he'll one day teach the boy to be a prankster. Sirius had often made threats to corrupted Harry into being the next marauder. That brought him some joy.

'Harry will be fine. He will have the happy childhood I was not granted and he will grow up with no fears of mortal dark lords.' He turned one last time to his wife.

"You did not just save Harry's life; you have saved the Wizarding world. For that, they owe you a debt they can never fully repay."

With that said, Loki made his long journey back home.

Alone.

TBC

That was painful. Writing this was reminding me of my niece, Anastasia. She looked so small in that baby coffin and so cold. I wanted to remember her warm and soft, too.

For the next chapter, we will be set five years later with the setting on earth. What started out a normally miserable day for Harry is about to get worse. But like all things, things have to get worse for it to get better.