I really hope all of you enjoyed the new Harry Potter movie. Makes me forget this horrible heat wave I'm suffering through.

Disclaimer: I do not own the movies, the books or the people! Leave me to my misery.

Warning: It's about to get a little violent and there are some naughty words in there.

Chapter 5: Melting a Heart of Ice.

Harry waited for the pain to come with the hand on his cheek. It was all he's ever known: Pain and punishment. He had left the only home he's ever known so he could never be hurt again. Instead, by the false promises of a man who claimed to be his brother, he was sent in a monster world, where he would either be eaten by a giant or fried to death like the same giant had been. Accepting that his life will never change, Harry closed his eyes and prepared for the blows to come.

Except they didn't come.

Harry waited for the hand to strike him or shake him, but it simply held his face up as the thumb gave a somewhat comforting rub. He opened his eyes and peeped at the man who was looking at him curiously. The man was looking Harry over, noticing the bruises he got from the rock throwing. As the scary man examined him, Harry looked at him. He was dressed like he was someone important with his clothes and golden horns. The clothes he was wearing were nicer than anything he had ever seen the Dursleys ever wear. He was really tall, and looked very strong. Harry thought that even though he might not have really huge muscles, he looked like he could beat up Uncle Vernon with his hands tied up and his eyes closed. The large golden horns on his head looked familiar. After a few moments of silent examination, the scary horned man finally spoke.

"Child,'" the scary horned man asked. "Would you mind telling me where you received your injuries? They are too small to have come from the giants."

"I... I tripped..." Harry stuttered as he looked at the man, knowing that telling the man what really happened would earn him another week in a cupboard with no food. Loki raised an eyebrow at the answer. Though he was no healer, he could see that the boy did not receive these from falling and he had watched the boy enough to know he was not clumsy at all.

"You insult my intelligence. I happen to know that you did not receive these from falling. Now be honest and I may just go easy on you. After all, let it not be said that Loki doesn't know the meaning of mercy." Loki smirked. Loki knew what mercy was. Did he act on it was another question all together.

Harry tried moving again. Realizing he was trapped and it was not a good idea to get this man angry, Harry said in a small voice. "The kids at school threw rocks at me." Harry expected him to say something like how he deserved it or laugh at him like the Dursleys would. Instead, the man narrowed his eyes.

"Where were your parents when this was happening? I cannot believe that any parent would be pleased to know that children were throwing rocks at their child." Loki snarled. It had happened to him as a child until Odin and Thor intervened. Odin made sure everyone knew that Loki was a prince of Asgard and an attack on him was an attack to the All-Father. Not that it stopped the people from treating him like a lesser-being.

Harry continued to look at his feet. "My parents died when I was little. I don't remember them."

Loki raised an eyebrow. "An orphan; you live alone then?"

Harry shook his head slowly. "My aunt and Uncle took me in when I was a baby."

Loki touched the sleeve of Harry's shirt in disdain. "They must be very poor if that is all they can afford you." Loki sneered as he looked at the clothes. To think, mortals didn't have better clothes to give away then this? He wouldn't even give those to a prisoner in his deepest dungeons.

"No. I just don't deserve nice stuff." He softly said; he had long since accepted that he was undeserving to a lot of things.

Loki looked up as he said this. What kind of monsters would think that a boy did not deserve proper clothes? Loki, even at his worst, would not have treated a child so shabbily. Especially one with eyes so green, that they reminded him of Lily. The difference was that Lily's eyes sparkled with life. This boy's eyes were dimmed with pain and hopelessness. No child with eyes as green as Lily's should have that look in his eyes. They should sparkle with love and mischief.

Like Harry's did.

"What is your name?" Loki asked softly, though Harry had a feeling that it was an order. He still didn't trust this strange man in the green clothes and yellow cape. He looked away and said "I'm not supposed to tell. The police at school say you shouldn't talk to strangers."

Harry suddenly felt a hand under his chin and looks up to see a frowning Loki, who now whispered in a deadly voice.

"Young man, you truly do not understand the situation you are in. You have entered in a realm that you have no business being in, trespassed in a sacred hall, attracted the attention of the Frost giants and have ruined my day, so to speak. You have given me every reason to be angry with you. For the sake of thy health, you will stop defying me and answer my question!" he emphasized this by making his eyes flash white hot.

Harry trembled again and suddenly wished he was back with the giants, or with uncle Vernon. This man scared him. Something about him told him that he would do far worse than whatever the Dursleys would do to him if he did not obey.

"My Aunt and Uncle call me Boy." Harry answers as Loki frowns.

"That is not a name, Give me another." he demanded as he narrowed his eyes at the boy. Was this boy neglected by his surviving family?

"Freak." He said so softly that Loki almost didn't hear it.

"What was that?" Loki was sure he must have misheard.

"They call me freak too." By now, Harry was crying again. Being reminded of the Dursleys and how everyone treated him was coming back to him on how nobody loved him.

Loki was furious. "Who would dare... Why would they call you that?" The question was rhetorical, of course.

"Because that's what everyone calls me! Because I'm not like everyone else. Because I'm a bad boy!" Harry was bawling as Loki's fury grew. "Because I'm unnatural! Because I'm waste of space! Because I didn't die with my mummy and daddy when I should have, like they always told me! Because I waste money, air and water! Because I can't do anything right! Because I have no friends and don't deserve any! Because my parents were bad people and I'll be bad too!"

Loki growls as Harry continues on about why he was a lesser being. As Loki continues to listen to this, he starts to remember his own childhood.

"Jotun runt!"

"Little liar!"

"Monster!"

"Miserable little creature!"

"Even the monsters Jotumheim don't want you. Why don't you do Asgard a favour and die!"

"Odin was too kind to feel pity for such a beast. If I had found you, I would have crushed your skull with my club."

"Go back to Jotumheim, monster!"

"You should have died! Even your real father saw you as something to be detested!"

"How Thor puts up with a dark creature like you is beyond me."

"ENOUGH!" Loki shouts, furious at his memories then he is at Harry. Harry immediately went silent as the man takes deep breaths to calm down. "That is enough. I will not call you any of those horrid names. It is unbefitting for a prince to say a word so ill-mannered to a child, even a commoner child."

Harry looked at him with wide tearful eyes. "You're a prince?

"Aye, I am prince Loki of Asgard, the god of mischief." He said without any sign of arrogance. He would normally say it with a show of arrogance and even give a little mocking bow. But those days were gone, he truly saw nothing to brag about being an Odinson when the man was no longer a father to him anymore then King Laufey had been.

Charlus Potter had raised him, protected him and taught him more than these two kings ever had. Not only that, but while he was a strict man, he saw nothing wrong with being mischievous and sometimes even pranked him around the house. The man may have taught him how to dual in both magic and fencing, but he also taught him manners, protocol, art and music. In fact, aside from his quidditch skills, Loki found that he loved the piano and had a rare magical talent of entrancing his audience with it. Not only that, but Charlus Potter loved both him and Sirius and did not show any favouritism. When Sirius had run away from home after a brutal attack from his parents, Charlus had solved the problem by adopting the boy in the family. It had been easily done with no ministerial help as Sirius had shed his right of heritage in the Black legacy and allowed him to be adopted to the Potters. The Blacks were glad to not have this scandal in the Wizemgamot and said good riddance to bad rubbish. Charlus showed no signs of loving either son more or less despite the fact that Sirius was not his true son and he praised them and loved them equally. When Charlus died, the property and fortune had been divided between the two of them as stated t in the Potter will. These were signs of a loving father that Loki never saw in either Laufey or Odin.

It was because of that that Loki would always consider himself the son of Potter.

Harry was shocked to be in the presence of a real life prince. He would have bowed if he could move, instead he said, "I'm very pleased to meet you your majesty." He stated while trying to sound very respectful. Loki smirked, pleased to see that the boy was giving him the respect that he felt he deserved.

"Please, child, call me Loki." He grinned as his hand rested on the boy's left side of his face. Harry flinched again, but calmed down when he realized that he wasn't going to be hit. Loki frowned at the reaction. It seemed that the boy was physically abused as well as verbally. He made a mental note to find these mortals and place them in his 'special dungeons'. A week in there would show them the error of their ways. Losing most of his anger at the boy, Loki decided then to ask the next question.

"What were you doing in the tomb of ice queens? And be honest with me, for I am the lie-smith." He asked, making sure to look in his eyes. As the god of lies, he could sense lies. But he would have to look in their eyes to accomplish that. It was difficult; for it felt like having a despairing Lilly look back at him with those eyes.

"I was getting out of all the snow, sir. I didn't know it was a tomb sir. There was no door to stop me from coming in." Harry said as looked back at Loki. Harry thought he had very interesting eyes, they were a lighter green then his were and they glowed like magic.

"It didn't need a door; it should not have let you in." Loki muttered. This boy was not aware that there were magical wards to prevent trespassers who were not of the royal line to be here. Did he somehow short-circuit it with his unusually high magical powers?

Harry continued talking. "I didn't mean to walk into a tomb; I thought it was a cave or something. When I walked in, it wasn't scary at all like a tomb. It was all bright and pretty. I saw all the giant ladies and a very pretty normal lady."

Loki blinked as his face softened. "Pretty normal lady, You mean the last one at the end?"

"Yes. She was lovely. It was sad that she died, she looked kind. How did she die?"

Loki closed his eyes as he is hands shook. "She was murdered, by a mad man who wanted to kill my son. She died protecting him." Loki stated as he remembered the night again. Lily's pleas to take her life instead of Harry's still haunted his dreams.

Harry felt tears in his eyes. The lady did die for the baby, just like in his dreams. "I wish my mommy was like that."

"How would you know what she was like? She died when you were a baby, remember." He hadn't meant to be so harsh at him, but his memories had the tendency to make him volatile.

Harry shook his head. "No sir. My aunt and uncle always told me she was a harlot who was only good for one thing. They never told me what that was though. It's probably bad."

The more Loki heard about the boy's relatives, the more he had the desirable urge to shove flesh-eating slugs down their throats and watch as they are eaten alive on the inside out. How dare they say such things to a child! If only he could avoid Heimdall's eyes, then he would go to Midgard and show those fools he wasn't called the prince of evil for nothing! He sighed and took another look at the small boy. This was no thief, but merely a child looking for shelter from pain and lack of love. Perhaps he could give this kid to Volstagg, he loved children after all. Perhaps he would give him to Thor to find a nice home on Midgard. While he was not on speaking terms with his 'dear brother', Loki knew that the soft-hearted ox-brained idiot would make it his mission to care for this boy and make sure he had a loving family.

'I certainly cannot keep him. I have no experience in taking care of children, even my own. Perhaps I can give him to one of my childless servants, they would care for him.' Loki thought as he caressed the now quiet boy's face, thinking it wouldn't be so bad to keep him in his castle. The child reminded him of Harry with his messy hair and Lily-green eyes. Except Lily's eyes were not dimmed with pain and betrayal. He was hopeful that his Marauder brothers would not fail him in keeping Harry safe and happy.

"I'm going to put you down now. Do not run, for you will not get far; understood?" Loki said as he waved his hand and lowered Harry slowly to the ground. Harry was relieved to find that he could move again and that his feet were on the ground. Harry looked up to see Loki was now smiling at him. With a flick of his cape, Loki walked past Harry. After a few feet away, he paused and said, "Come along, young one. It's a long trek to Asgard and I have no energy to fly thanks to your little ice attack earlier on."

"You want me to come with you?" Harry was shocked. A minute ago, this mean man wanted to hurt him. Why was he being nice to him?

"Of course I do, unless you wish to make a new home here instead." Loki pointed out as he raised one eyebrow.

Harry shook his head vigorously. "No thank you, I'd rather come with you, sir."

"Then follow me, child. We're off to Asgard. Hopefully, someone will take you in for a while until Odin awakens and decides on what to do with you."

Harry followed, but muttered, "Who would want me?"

'Who wouldn't want you?' Loki thought as he eyed the little boy, making a solemn vow to go to Midgard and check on Harry. Chances of being spotted or not, the sight of this boy made him terrified for his own son's happiness and well-being, he wished to see for himself that he was truly happy. He had to be! Loki would not have it any other way for him.

OoooOoooO

Odin was deep in his sleep as he recharged to help protect Asgard. It was a life sometimes that made him weary with age and at times wished that the final Ragnarok would come to finish him off after all. Said final Ragnarok would come once Thor destroys 'They Who Sit In The Shadow' all thus ending the rebirth cycle forever. This was one of the reasons why he sent Thor to Midgard. His actions could not be viewed by the T.W.S.I.T.S. While Thor grew stronger in both body and character, Odin would help prepare the people for the final Ragnarok with the hope that Thor would awaken them at some point in the future.

Suddenly, the universe seemed to fall off its balance it seemed that something or someone had kicked the loom of fates hard. When the universe rebalanced itself, the loom seemed to reconstruct itself, but as things broke, changes were made. Destinies and lives were changed and fates were altered. It could only happen when someone, one of the key players in Fate's hands, has decided to break free of its reins and follow another path. As the universe calmed down, Odin immediately checked for damages or mistakes. Everything seemed fine, there was no threat to Asgard, Galactus was on the other side of the universe, the Phoenix was contained for now, Surtur was sulking in Muspelheim, the ice giants were plotting against Asgard again, the rebirth cycle had disappeared, Set was still trapped in... wait a minute!

The rebirth cycle was destroyed! But how? Thor should not know about it yet and he was not ready to face them! How did the cycle break? Odin knew it was dangerous, especially in his weakened state, but he reached out with all his divine powers and looked at the new loom of fates and tried to decipher what had happened. After a quick glance, he knew now the main reason was not because of Thor but Loki. Loki had stopped the cycle! Why would he? Loki lived to create discord and destruction!... at least, he used to, before that soul-stealing mortal woman had gotten her claws on him.

Ever since Loki came back from burying... that...woman... Loki had been a shadow of his former self. When he had returned from Jotumheim, he had locked himself in his room for five days and refused to come out, not even to eat. After the fifth day, Odin had ordered Thor finally to break the door and bring him to the throne room. When he had brought Loki to him, Loki had been quietly weeping and he was so lost in his despair that he hadn't even notice that he had been taken out of his room until Thor shook him on the shoulders. Odin had tried speaking to him, hoping to learn what exactly happened on Midgard, but to no avail.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Nothing matters anymore," was what he had said at the throne room, to Odin's everlasting breaking heart. Odin had seen no sign of the malicious evil trickster and when he made no attempts to talk at all on who she was or what had caused her death, Odin finally dismissed him. However, he had asked Thor to keep an eye on him in case he did something self-inflicting.

While Loki made no signs to throw himself on his sword, he had not been taking good care of himself. Every day, he would notice how much weight Loki would lose or how despondent he was around the palace. He had lost his passion for his many loves in life such as reading and learning new spells and he would hardly talk to anyone. Odin knew something had to be done and soon; the entire family was falling apart because of this! Frigga was heart-broken that her son wished nothing to do with them and that he was slowly destroying himself, Thor was desperately trying to get his brother back, but any attempts would leave him with a broken heart. Even Balder was trying, not because of Loki's sake, but because he too, seemed to notice that the family was hurting with Loki's continued mourning. Odin himself was also working to get his son to smile again.

No matter what Loki would like to believe, Odin did love his adopted son. He was not pleased with his mischief and trickery and would punish him harshly for it, but never did he wish to see his son in such a state. He'd never thought he'd wish for him to plot something evil, even if it was the destruction of Asgard. At least he would be chuckling again, even if it was at someone's expense. In fact, the only time Loki was snapped out of his dispassionate state was when that dead mortal was insulted.

Poor Amora had to learn that the hard way on that. To make matters worse, even he with all his powers he could not undo the terrible curse Loki placed her on, which Loki proudly claimed that the curse had been one of 'her' masterpieces. The Enchantress can no longer claim she was the most beautiful woman in Asgard until she learned her lesson. Which made Odin wonder if he should be happy that the woman was dead if she was could make spells like that.

But that was not the point now, what was important was that the time of 'final contest' was over! Ragnarok was gone, the Norn prophecy was broken! But what had caused the change? Did it have to do with the imbalance from earlier on? The first thing Odin would do when he reawakened would be to ask Loki on what had been going on since his slumber.

OoooOoooO

Loki shook his head as he looked at the increasingly panicking boy, who had somehow ended up fifty feet up on the side of a mountain. The things children get themselves into. And people say he was nothing but trouble.

"Child, come down from there!" He ordered sternly. Did the boy not realize he would attract frost giants this way?

"No!" Harry shouted impudently as he held on tighter.

"Little boy, you do not wish to anger Loki! It never ends well for many people!" Loki warned as he glared at Harry. But this caused the young mortal to climb higher. Loki sighed as Harry continued to climb higher. He supposed this was his entire fault; he really should not have let his mischief get the best of him.

They had been getting along surprisingly well, even though the boy was a bit too quiet for comfort. Children his age were normally talking and laughing while trying to get as much attention as possible. The little one seemed to be making an effort to make himself as scarce as possible even while walking beside him. Loki, never one to like long silences unless he was reading, had decided to entertain himself by talking to the quiet child. He needed to figure out how he got here and why. He had been annoyed to learn that Jomungand had been the one to send him here. If this was his second born son's idea of a joke, Loki found nothing amusing about this. He expected better from his serpent son then to start sending mortals in their realms. He would have to call him at some point and ask why he had lied to the boy about finding his father in a world full of giants. But back to the problem at hand; the reason for this situation was that while they had been talking about each other, Harry had discovered that Loki was a giant, or at least a descendent of one.

"You're a giant!" He had shouted, sceptical at first.

Loki gave a smile. "Aye, I'm the runt of a giant, but yes, I am. I may not be tall but I have a great deal of their strength and abilities."

Harry had not really thinking about Loki's abilities, he had been thinking about his eating habits. "You're not going to eat me, are you?"

"What?" Loki blinked. Despite his status as a giant, Loki has never been accused of ever eating anyone. The idea seemed ludicrous!

Well, except that one incident when Loki had first been banished to Midgard for his trickery and mischief thousands of years ago. Loki was so used to having people serve him that he had been unaccustomed to living on his own. So after days of no food in his stomach, he had finally gone mad with hunger and had gone to a enraged feral state where he acted more animal then man. When had regained his senses, he had been surrounded by dead half-eaten bodies of Viking raiders and the wolves eating off the remaining bodies. Loki also found that he wasn't so hungry anymore. He concluded he had killed the raiders and eaten their supplies while the wolves ate the bodies.

Yes! That was what happened, and he was sticking to that story! (1)

"Are you going to eat me, sir? You know, grind my bones and make your bread?" Harry had asked anxiously as Loki grinned as, for the first time in years, he felt the spark of mischief return to him.

"Don't be silly! Of course not!" he smoothly stated as he kneeled to Harry's height. Harry let out a breath, while Loki smirked. He started poking Harry's stomach. "For one thing, Giants don't eat bread, they eat their meat raw. Besides, you're too scrawny, we'll have to fatten you up first."

The child let out a little 'eep' and popped out of existence. Loki blinked, and then panicked when he realized the boy had disapparated himself. After searching and tracing his magic, he spotted him high up on the side of the mountain. Harry had no idea how he ended up there, but he was not eager to get down.

"Come down now!" Loki scowled. This was past amusement and now becoming dangerous. If the boy didn't fall from this height, he was likely to attract Frost giant from that height. Loki had managed to get him and the boy only half way off the mountain; but they were not out of danger yet! He would have just left the boy to fend for himself if he had been his old self. As it is, leaving him here was not an option.

"Very well, I shall leave you. Good day to you!" Loki stated as he walked around the mountain. Harry rolled his eyes. He was not falling for that again! Dudley would pretend to leave, and when Harry left his hiding place, his cousin would jump on him and beat him up. Harry was not falling for the same trick twice.

"Boo!" A voice from above shouted. Harry's head shot up and he saw Loki balancing on a very thin branch, grinning at him. He was so surprised that he lost his grip on the mountain and fell. Loki lost his grin and turned into a swarm of green butterflies, helping Harry float down the ground Harry while reforming himself with Harry safely in his arms. Harry blinked in surprise to find himself in the arms of the giant; he gave a relieved sigh.

"Weren't you trying to get away from me a moment ago?" Loki asked.

"Eeeek!" Harry panicked and tried to wiggle out of his arms. But Loki merely laughed and tightened his hold.

"I'm not going to eat you. The only meats I prefer are boar, fish, pheasants, duck or even ox. I was merely jesting with you about eating you." Loki chuckled at the boy. Harry looked stunned. Then he scowled which caused Loki to grin. The boy's eyes flared with anger in a way that reminded him of Lily. Of course, that look normally warned him to start dodging hexes.

"That wasn't nice! You're mean!" he exclaimed.

"You flatter me with those words." Loki smirked. Harry kept casting him wary sullen glares, to Loki's amusement. When Harry tried to get down, Loki tightened his hold on him. "No, as I told you, if you ran away from me, you would not get far. I'll carry you myself until we are in safer grounds." Loki lightly scolded as he adjusted his hold on him, frowning at how light he felt.

"But... but...but you tricked me." Harry said with a pout, which made him look adorable.

"Did I mention that I was the Trickster god?" Loki grinned. He hadn't had this much fun in years. "Besides, you'll be safer with me in my arms and less likely to meet a Frost giant." He stated as he ran a hand on Harry's face. He gave a soft smile as he walked on, running a gloved hand on his face. He was such a beautiful little boy; midnight untameable hair and emerald eyes that was so easy to read and express. It was hard to believe that anyone would want to harm such a child, especially when he was so well-mannered and soft-spoken.

'He looks the same age as Harry.' He shuddered. He could not imagine what would have happened to his son had he not left him in Padfoot and Moony's care. Would he have been fostered by families who would care less about him? Would he be beaten and called a freak because of his powers? Loki shook himself on those thoughts. It would only make him worry more and have him attempt to try to make contact with them; something he could not afford to do. He never knew when Heimdall or Odin would be watching him; and the other Asgardians who hated him were also looking for any signs of weakness to exploit against him.

They might even chain him on the floor and have snake venom fall on his face.

Loki shuddered at that and unconsciously ran his hand on the child's messy haired head. The boy placed one of his tiny hands on his wrist as he let him hold him. Loki looked down to see he was resting his head on his shoulder and was in the process of sleeping. The boy also reminded him of him when he was a child, except the eyes, his nose was smaller and his chin wasn't as pointed. It wasn't in just the looks, but they seem to have similar childhood backgrounds. Both of them had lost their real parents, and had been raised in a place where they were treated like vermin. That was probably why he was feeling a bit protective of the child.

As Loki continued to caress his cheek, he thought he saw something on the boy's forehead. Thinking it was another injury, Loki was about to push his hair off his forehead. But before he could, a shadow looked over his head. He looked up in time to see a snowball the size of a boulder was heading their way. Loki flung himself to the side, startling the now very much awake Harry. Turning to his side, he cursed himself for not paying attention to his surrounding or making sure he was not being followed.

"Greetings God of Mischief! I was hunting when I spotted my brother attacked and killed. I've been following you. The rumours are true, you have gotten soft! To think you would risk yourself for this mortal boy." The giant sneered as he held another giant snowball. The moment Loki saw it heading his way he dodged to the left and used a tree as a momentum to swing him and Harry the opposite direction of the giant. Loki clutched child tightly to him as he ran down the mountain pathway, with the boy screaming in his ears. That boy had the most unforgivable set of lungs!

"Come back here, Trickster! Or leave me the boy! My brother wanted him and so do I. He will make a fine pet for me to keep as well as a servant for my new home. Now that my brother is dead, I claim all of his properties, women and gold!" The giant's voice boomed. Harry paled and covered his face on Loki's shoulder, hoping the prince wouldn't do anything of the sort. Loki merely tightened his grip on Harry as he sprinted further away from the giant. That monster was getting the boy over his dead body!

"He is hindering your escape, runt! Give him to me and I may just spare you!"

Loki felt panic enter his heart as he realised the giant was right, he wasn't going fast enough to outrun him, especially in the Giant's own territory. He was still going on one third of his power so he couldn't fly just yet. Instead, he ran with a speed of a locomotive, which unfortunately was still not powerful enough to escape a giant. The thought of abandoning the boy to lighten the load didn't even occur to him. He would keep him safe until he figured out what to do with him. He was not the monster everyone believed him to be anymore and will not behave as such!

Unfortunately, he did not know that the giant had set up a trap in advance for any game he had intended to lead right into. As soon as Loki turned the corner, he slipped on a pathway of ice and slid on his back, Harry on top of him. He then crashed right in the side of mountain hard and fell into a trap hole. Loki was knocked out and the cold slush of the snow that landed on him slowly stopped his magic from flowing. Loki felt his body go into shock as he lost consciousness.

"Prince Loki!" Harry shouted, surprisingly all right. The snow had not hurt him at all. The man on the other hand, looked very blue. Harry's eyes widened when he saw the cackling giant lumber towards them with the same ice club that other giant had. Harry wrapped his arms around Loki and wished someone would take them away from here.

One minute the giant had reached down to grab them, the next, they disappeared in a POP!

OoooOoooO

"Oppph!" went Harry as he landed on the ice floor of the tomb again with the unconscious man. Harry looked around in shock. How did they get here? Weren't they outside of the bottom about to get squished?

Harry looked down and saw that Loki was still out cold. Harry thought he was dead, until he placed his head on his chest. He heard a heart beat! Yay, he was alive! But he was still so cold! He had to go and get help, maybe a doctor! Harry was just about to leave the cave again to find someone to help him when he spotted the giant running towards them.

"I knew you would return here! I figured that if the runt wished to hide it would be in the one place I cannot reach him." The giant growled. "However, I am patient. I will wait until you eventually come out on your own." Harry stepped even further back in the cave until he was near the unconscious god, which was outside of the giant's vision.

"Come out! Come out now or I'll make it worse for you." The giant roared. He could not enter the tombs. But as he sad, he was very patient. He'll wait all week if he had to! Harry trembled and started to shake the man. Maybe he'll use his magic and save them.

"Wake up!" Harry shouted to the unusually cold man. He was making no sign of awakening and his breathing had slowed. Harry remembered watching a few TV from his corner on how some people slapped someone awake. So Harry slapped the man; many times and very hard. He still refused to wake up and his hand was starting to hurt. That and Loki's face was now all red with his tiny handprints. Harry hoped that if he did wake up, he wouldn't hurt him for hitting him.

"What'll I do? We'll be trapped here forever and ever!" Harry whimpered as he wrapped his arms around the prince that had tried to save him. The man wasn't so bad. Sure he was scary and a bit cranky, but he wasn't like uncle Vernon. Aside from the fact that he didn't hurt him, if uncle Vernon saw a giant, even Harry knew the man would have left him to his doom.

Unconsciously, Harry's hands started to absorb the water and ice from the damp god's body and into his own, causing Loki's fire from within to grow again. Harry paid no mind that Loki's body was warm again; He did, however, notice the dagger on his belt. It probably wouldn't hurt the giant too much as it was so small. But Harry needed to find some way to get the giant away from them. If he could get the giant angry, he could let him chase him and let the prince escape.

'You gotta be brave, Harry! Don't be chicken! Do it for the prince. You're not scared.' Harry thought as he picked up the dagger, which looked so pretty. It looked like it was made of gold. Harry moved slowly to the entrance only for the giant on his hands and knees to notice, he was staring at him hungrily. It seemed he was hungry and had changed his mind about keeping him as a slave.

"So, you surrender, boy?" He slobbered.

Harry ran out of the cave and threw the knife, hoping it would hit the giant. His accuracy was pretty good as he had inherited his mother's throwing arm, who had taken after her major league pitcher father. The knife hit the right eye in the center. The roar of the giant was so powerful that the sound waves caused Harry to fly backwards and slam into the side of the mountain.

As he painfully got back up, Harry chose to run as he saw that the giant was not happy with him. As he ran, he saw the giant lumber towards and grabbed him. Harry saw that the giant was about to open his mouth and he screamed. The giant flinched at the sound but would not let that stop him.

What was that rumbling sound?

The giant turned around and spotted a large avalanche was heading straight at them at a speed that even shocked the frost giant! He dropped Harry and tried to hold steady from the avalanche. After all, he was a frost giant. The snow was his protection.

However, this was no ordinary avalanche. This was an avalanche called upon by Harry himself. The snow, which had always been the close companion of a frost giant, would now betray him. The giant shouted in confusion as he found himself unable to stop the avalanche and was in fact, swept away from the raging snow. Harry screamed in terror as the avalanche headed his way, until it split into two as soon as it neared him and avoided doing him harm. Harry blinked as he saw this, although he was still scared. Was there really magic at work?

The giant was still struggling to avoid falling off the mountain, but he saw that the avalanche had no effect on Harry. Since even he knew that Loki had no power over ice, he knew it had to be the kid controlling it. But only one of frost giant descent could have such access to their element. No outsider could have that unless they were related to one.

The wobbling giant sneered; at least it explained how he got in the tomb. "Should have known, you look just like him. Maybe I'll eat you right in front of him; he seems to have a soft spot for you."

Harry shuddered. What was that monster talking about? The giant was practically swimming as the falling snow continued to hinder him, but the young boy kept letting more fall in, his eyes were now crystal ice blue and his hair was as white as the snow. The snow finally managed to shove him off the side of the mountain. The giant managed to grab the side of the mountain before he could fall to his death and held on tight.

This child... was stronger than any child he's ever heard of. Thor at that age was capable of horrific storms whenever he threw a tantrum. It made sense that this boy would be strong; he not only had the line of Laufey in his blood, but the line of Odin as well. (2) Now he knew he had to kill him. If he was this powerful now, he would be invincible when he was a man.

As he slammed his hand on the side of the mountain Harry lost his balance and was swept away with the snow, sliding near the edge of the high mountain. He tried to hold on to something but it seemed that his powers chose now to disappear. He screamed as he held on to his dear life from falling off the edge. Judging from the loud roars of fury, the giant had managed to hold on too. If Harry fell, he would fall and crash or he would be eaten by the giant. Neither option was good for Harry.

OoooOoooO

Loki moaned as he felt his sore face. Looking at his reflection on the floor, Loki knew the boy had tried to wake him up by slapping him, he would pay for that! To think he would strike the face of Loki! Groaning and muttering in irritation, he sat up as he looked around in his surroundings. He blinked when he found himself back at the tomb of queens. Now how had he returned there? They had been too far away and there be no way the small child had brought him here; at least, not physically. And once again, the boy was able to enter here.

There was clearly more than meets the eyes on this waif.

As he sat up; he looked around to see where the boy wandered off to, only to see that he wasn't in the cave. It wasn't until he heard a roar, followed by what sounded like the mountain collapsing that he shot up to his feet and ran to the entrance of the cave. The giant sounded like he probably had been injured from his attack. What could have happened to have a frost giant have a mountain snow fall on him, or to cause the snow to suddenly be an enemy to a frost giant?

Loki's eyes widened. The boy! He had used his ice powers to cause the mountain to fall. He was a lot stronger then he originally thought. No doubt the Asgardians or any mortal parent will have their hands full with this one. When he stood up, Loki noticed his dagger was missing.

"He didn't!" Loki gasped as he realized the child took it. Did he sincerely hope to defeat a giant with a small dagger? Loki looked around the sight and found no sign of the child and the giant. Could they be buried in the snow, or perhaps the giant stole him away? None of those thoughts helped Loki to calm down. He suddenly felt sick at the thought of any child under his protection would die all because he was not strong enough to help him. How could he ever look at himself in the mirror again after failing to save him? Why couldn't he protect the people he loved when they truly needed him? After all, he had failed in protecting Lily, so it was clear that he...

"Help! Help me, someone!" An all too familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. Fear gripped his heart as he realized it was coming from the edge of the mountain cliff.

"Child, Hang on!" he shouted as he raced out, flying faster than he ever thought possible.

OoooOoooO

Harry felt the monster below him bellow with rage as he tried to reach him. The creature had reached a new level of bloodlust and wanted to kill the brat that had blinded him in one eye. The half-giant spawn of that silver-tongued bastard! He'll kill him! And he'll make sure it's painful too.

The giant roared as he struggled over the mountain side, desperately trying to get a hold and causing the mountain the shake. He gave the mountain one last hit, causing Harry to lose his balance and he fell off the edge with a shriek. Harry found himself plunging closer to the open mouth. Just when he was past the lips, something fast and green shot straight down and caught Harry while zooming out before the mouth could close. A shocked Harry finds himself in the arms of the horned man. Loki flew high until he placed him back on the mountain trail. Pulling away from Harry and placing him on the ground, Loki pulled his fire sword out.

"Don't move." He ordered as he flew back down and was several feet from where the giant was holding on to dear life. The giant knew he was dead. He was hanging on dear life and Loki was fully-powered and floating in front of him, looking downright murderous. But he refused to let that runt intimidate him.

"You couldn't kill me, runt! You're not Thor!"

"You are correct, I am not my dim-witted brother. For I have neither compassion nor mercy in my heart for my enemies." Loki hissed as his eyes glowed. Before the giant knew what happened, his right hand was sliced right off. Screaming, he watched as Loki flew towards him and plunged his hand on his right eye, pulling his dagger out, causing the giant to scream in pain.

"So that's where it went." He smiled evilly. He then pulled his fist back and punched the giant across the face. While not as strong as Thor, he could still cause some teeth to fly out. Floating higher up, Loki placed his sword away and powered his hands up. The giant knew what was coming and felt fear for the first time.

"DIE!" Loki shouted as he released a wave of fire from his hands, hitting the giant hard. With the onslaught, his remaining hand finally let go of the mountain and fell down to the bottomless chasm. Loki looked down from the edge in with an evil smile, cruel satisfaction filling him up.

"Well, that takes care of him." Loki flies back up to where Harry was and lands down in front of him. He kneels down and places a hand on his shoulder. "For a mortal child, you are very brave. You should have been born an Asgardian."

Harry, relieved that the giant was gone and that they were safe, hugs Loki; thanking him for saving his life. Loki awkwardly pats him on the head as the boy babbles in his ear. "You were awesome! You saved me! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Harry shouts as he clings tighter on the man's neck to a point of crushing it. Loki blinks at the show of gratitude. He was sure he had never been properly thanked for his accomplishments before.

"I was simply returning the favour for saving me." He smiles as he pulls away from the smiling child and ruffles his hair, who giggles in return. Loki then lost his smile as he remembered how the boy had caused the giant to chase him near the edge. "What were you trying to prove back there? You should not have endangered yourself like that! Do you realize it could have gone wrong for you? That giant probably fell off the cliff because he underestimated you. I assure you, most giants aren't that stupid. You should have waited for me to awaken. What do you think would have happened if I had not caught you in time!" he scolded. He wanted the boy to see how rushing headfirst in battles with no plans and strategies is foolish. That was one of the reasons why he resorted to trickery. It was less likely for him to get hurt or killed.

Harry looked back at him stunned at the change of mood towards him and the fact that someone actually cared that he had almost been killed. He then suddenly realised that he had come close to being killed! He had almost been eaten by one giant, buried alive in an avalanche and fell off a cliff and almost eaten by a different giant. The adrenaline was now replaced with horror at his near death experience. Harry started shaking and whimpering as tears fell and he tried to curl up in a ball. Almost instinctual, Loki wrapped his arms around him and held the frightened boy, who clutched Loki back and wailed on his shoulder. Loki loathed admitting this, but he had been terrified that he had almost missed. For one split second, Loki thought he would have failed missed catching the boy before he fell in the mouth. The thought almost left him in the same state his wife's death had left him.

"It's all right. It's all right," He soothingly whispered to the crying child. "No harm will come to you now. You are safe." Harry suddenly stiffened at that and pulled away from his him. He gave him a very good long look that left Loki uncomfortable; Harry's eyes widened in recognition.

"You're the horned man from my dreams!" He exclaimed in surprise.

"Pardon?" Loki blinked. Horned man was a new name for him.

"After that scary man killed the pretty lady, he aimed his stick at me and there was a green light. I got hurt and he disappeared. Then you picked me up and said everything will be fine! That's how I know you from." Harry said excitedly. Loki frowned at this and tried to recall when he ever said that to anyone, and where did a monster with green light come from? He looks back at Harry, for the first time really taking a good look at him.

Then suddenly, an epiphany hit the increasingly pale Loki and his eyes widened. No... It cannot be...

He slowly reached for the boy's face, his hand trembling violently as he moved the boys bangs away from his face. Loki felt all warmth escape his body and his heart had stopped for a moment.

It was an old scar...

An old deep scar. ...

An old deep lightning bolt scar...

An old deep lightning bolt scar that the Wizard Riddle had given Lily's only son...

TBC

You know the best things about cliff-hangers: the readers don't know where the Authoress lives! Hahaha! So I'll let everyone's imagination work out on how Loki took this revelation while I update my other stories. Chaio!

The part about Loki not having much power in water is confirmed in Journey into Mystery #85 "Trapped by Loki, the God of Mischief". Legend states that his powers do not work in the water. And if he stays wet, he can't use them either until he dries up. The fact that he can't swim is also confirmed when Thor had to jump in to save him from drowning.

(1) Okay, I can understand Hagrid, who is only half-giant and has been raised all his life by his wizard father because his mother abandoned him. But Loki is the son of two frost giants and had been with them long enough to pick up their dietary. I find it difficult to believe that in no point in his life that Loki never had a craving for human flesh. He doesn't have to like this part of himself, but it's there.

(2) My guess is that Loki has been blood adopted or something. Time and time again, Loki or Thor claims to be half-brothers due to the fact that Loki is a son of Odin. Loki has even quoted to be embarrassed to share the same blood veins as his ignoramous of a brother in some comics.