Harry Lokison the Trickster's Heir

by dglsprincess105

A Marvel What If continuity: How things would have been different if Odin had placed Loki in the mortal body of James Potter? hey everyone! I'm alive!

8. Chapter 7: A Potter's Duty

Happy New Years everyone! Thank you for being so patient. I made this one extra-long, although there isn't much action. Mostly talking, explanations and a flashback. Next chapter will be better, I promise.

Disclaimer: Alas, tis not to be! Thy world of Potter and realm of marvel, I not worthy to claim.

Chapter Seven: A Potter's Duty

Sif sighed as she and many Valkyries sat around a round table at the bar waiting for their drinks. It was the day after the disturbance and the ramifications were still being felt. With the effects of the disturbance spreading, many people spoke of Ragnarok and a great deal wondered if Loki was to blame, but many had witnessed him at the time still in Asgard in a mournful mood. So he was not responsible for what happened, although many, including Sif, felt that he was somehow connected.

"Greetings, warrior women of Asgard! Is it not a beautiful day?" A voice that Sif recognized and wished she didn't. Sif glared at the Norn Queen who has often brought just as much trouble as Loki. Her attempts to help Loki take the throne of Asgard while imprisoning and torturing Thor and also her attempt to keep him trapped in his Odin sleep while Loki impersonated the all-father. She walks freely among them only because of Balder's vouching for her. Sif would never have allowed such a threat to remain in Asgard if she had her way.

"What brings you here, Karnella?" she tried not to growl. Sif was not a woman who hid her feelings around those she showed no liking for.

"I simply wish to speak to my love over a large disorder that has shaken my magic." She smirked. "In addition to that, whatever caused such a catastrophe has blocked me from seeing into the future." She grinned at the barmaid who arrived with mead.

"No disorder. Only a child; a small one according to Thor." Sif stated. She did not hear the full story out, but she had heard that a small boy, possibly a mutant or magical, had created a disturbance so powerful that even the mightiest of gods were shaken by it.

"May I guess that the child is from Midgard, the land that Thor continues to protect? How interesting? And it is claimed that there is nothing of interest in Midgard." Karnella smirked as she sat near Brunhilda. "Has the child arrived? Will he grace us with his presence and power?" She was eager to find the boy and sway him to her land. She knew that as soon as Odin awakened, he would demand the child's presence. Someone of that power running loose on Midgard was unacceptable to the man whom believes to have control over all. At least she will care for the boy; no doubt Odin will have him locked up somewhere until it was deemed important enough to let him out. While she understood the importance of duty to the people and need to protect them from evil, she always thought his methods were cruel.

"Thor continues to seek out the child that had caused such a disturbing display yesterday." She answered as she gave a suspicious look to the witch. "So far, no one has seen hair or hide of him."

"Or he could be seeing the little mortal woman that continues to hold his heart." Karnella grinned. She enjoyed teasing Sif and Brunhilda on that, knowing their love for Thor.

"What makes you believe that the son of Odin would abandon his mission?" Sif demanded. While she had no spite for mortal Jane Foster, it still stung that Thor showed more love to her then to his promised.

"We all know that Thor fawns over her, worships the ground of that mortal woman. I fear that if anything happens to her, he will be as useful as Loki has been." Karnella sighed. Unlike most of the gods, she knew that Loki was not completely to blame for his actions. She was well aware of the true reason for Ragnarok, she was one of the few that knew the truth about who was profiting over Ragnarok. Which was why most of the time she did help him, though she also got something out of it.

"Thor is not so weak as to break over the mortal's death. And comparing him to Loki is an insult to the true son of Odin." Sif stated as she took a gulp of her mead. "Loki is a weak little frost giant who cannot stand having his toys taken away."

"You make it seem as if he did not love the mortal creature that he had been married to?" Karnella lost a bit of her good humour as she looked at Sif. She knew that Sif had no great love for mortals, but that was downright contemptuous.

"Truly, ye believe that?" Brunhillda asked softly. She did not like Loki much, but she felt that attacking him now in his state was... Almost dishonourable.

"Truly, I can understand that Loki may have loved the little mortal woman. But she was nothing more than that: a mere mortal. It has been five years; must he carry on like this? He acts like a small child who has had lost his favourite toy." Sif shook her head as she drank her pint. She never did see much value in mortals nor Thor's constant affection for them. She also did not believe that Loki loved anything but himself.

"Most would call it carrying on, while others see it as mourning. " Karnella frowned. She knew that there was no love lost between Loki and Sif, but to act as if the mortal girl was insignificant to Loki was callous. Anyone could see that the woman had meant more to Loki then mere carnal pleasure.

Sif rolled her eyes. "It is a trick. Loki could never understand concepts such as love and loyalty. The only love he is familiar with is that of his own self-absorption and the only loyalty he has is to himself." She stated as she placed a small grape to her tentative lip, while fuming at how easy everyone fell for the God of Mischief's tricks. It seemed that whenever the subject of Loki came up to Thor and a few others such as the Warrior Three, instead of contempt or fury like they used to speak, many sounded sad and remorseful for him. Why they felt sorry for him, she did not know, because as far as she's concerned, Loki deserves any all types of pain. Was she the only one to see what Loki truly was? She was the only one that saw him for what he truly was, a mad power-hungry monster that Odin insisted on keeping within the protective walls of Asgard.

Subconsciously, she was being unfair to verbally attack him while he is so weak in the heart, but every time she felt pity or sympathy for him, she was reminded of his nature. Was it not Loki that had cut her beautiful golden curls? Was it not he that had Idunna, the gentlest of Goddesses to be kidnapped to become the bride of a Frost giant? Was it not he that would lead his giant brethren to Asgard on a bid of power? Was he not the one who murdered Balder before despite his revival? To bring trolls, plagues and other miseries to their worlds? Was he not the father of Monsters? The father of the giant wolf that was prophesised to devour Odin, the Midgard Dragon that will kill Thor in his final battle, and Hela, the goddess of the dead, whom will raise her army for the final attack?

It seemed that she was the only one to remember this as gods and goddesses alike were throwing themselves backwards to please the spoilt prince. Well, she would not be one of them. She would be the cool-headed one and be there to remind everyone of Loki's nature before he got away with anymore crimes. (1)

"I doubt she was anything special. She was just another mortal. Loki could easily replace her with a million others." She stated. Karnella looked like she was about to get angry and snap Sif's head off, perhaps literally. Brunhilda, who had wanted to remain quiet and let Sif rant, decided then and there to stop it.

"Be careful what thou says-th about the little mortal. Do ye recall not about what had happened to Amora when she spoke such words like that in the presence of Loki?" she sagely pointed out to her dark-haired Valkyrie sister as she pointedly looked out the window from Sif's side.

Sif paused and followed her friend's gaze just to see Amora the Enchantress walk out of the Alchemy Shop. The once beautiful goddess was wearing a golden mask that was locked tightly to her face. It was a necessity because those who looked upon her were petrified in a state that rivalled a Medusa's power. Amora had said some cruel words about Loki's wife a year after the mortal's death. Loki had reacted in a most frightful way and proved to everyone that he was still indeed a God of Evil by placing such a curse on her.

For though Sif felt that Amora deserved many things, she thought that this was a cruelty for a woman who valued beauty more than anything.

"Very well, I shall hold my tongue of her around the evil one." She murmured, annoyed that she even felt the slightest hint of fear of Loki.

Karnella sighed. Sif was as noble as many other warriors here; but when it came to Loki; she treated him with extreme prejudice. Did no one understand that treating Loki like a criminal, especially after all he's been through, will only make him a far worse enemy then before?

Perhaps Loki was right and logic is indeed lost to most Asgardians.

OoooOoooO

Down on Earth, a confrontation was beginning in Little Whinging. The people who lived there could feel it in the air. The animals even stopped their chattering or cooing as they felt the air crackle with electricity. The place was coming from the little house next to the one protected by Lily's blood. Loki stared at the woman that had been one of Lily's few friends. Despite her status as a squib, Lily had found common ground with the girl, both suffering the prejudice from the ignorant Wizarding world that saw beings like them as useless and second citizens to their society.

James never had squibs in his family, but his father had taught him to treat them like any other human, so he made no complaints. He had found the Arabella charming and sweet. In fact, he had bought Lily's black and white cat, Oreo from her; the one that Harry had almost killed when that imbecile Black decided to give the one year old baby a broom.

Arabella stared in shock, happiness, sadness and horror as a man that had been dead for five years was in her living room. Was it really one of the few friends she ever had?

"James, is it really you? No it's a trick! You died! Who are you? Are you a Deatheater?" She panicked. "You are, aren't you?" She backed away, stumbling to a corner as she started to look for something to attack him with.

Loki sneered at her. Perhaps going as James Potter was not a wise choice to turn into, but it had been so long since he used that form and it just felt appropriate to shift to into. As soon as he did, he suddenly felt whole again, like a part of him had finally returned home and made him one again. It just felt so right, like Loki was the illusion and James was his true form.

Perhaps a part of Loki did die that night. Perhaps he truly was a Potter now. The thought made him smile; then he frowned and waved off the feeling of nostalgia. Right now, he had to focus on one of the many friends that had allowed his son to suffer. But first he had to prove himself to this friend.

Arabella flinched as he pulled out a wand, (which was a twig he transformed to look like his wand,) "I, James Charlus Potter, swear upon thee that I have been born James Potter and will always will be James Potter. So mote it be." He finished as his eyes flashed as well as the tip of his stick, and effect of both his power and the magic binding promise.

James wondered if it was a good idea to swear this. He knew swearing upon magic was a serious business, hence why he did not do it often, or actually at all. As the god of lies, Loki always risked his magic if he did anything against the absolute truth, unless you can word the vow properly. But Loki knew that he had been born as James Potter as punishment so technically, that was the truth despite the fact many would call it rebirth. And as far as he was concerned, he would always be James Potter.

He was James Charlus Potter.

But it obviously worked as he was still retaining his magic, so he continued. "You will start with telling me what has been going on since that Halloween. And you will do so without lying. I have had enough of that for a while." He drawled as he looked down at her.

Arabella looked shocked. Didn't James know what happened that Halloween night, it was practically a national Holiday because of Harry. "I'm... not sure I understand what..." She was viciously cut off by a harsh order.

"Tell me what has occurred from my near death! And tell me why Harry is with the Dursleys? Why is there a protective barrier around them and what in Merlin's name are you doing here of all places? There is no way you could ever afford to live in such a neighbourhood!" James snarled, not taking in any more interruptions.

Arabella whimpered but sat down to do as he had asked. He had the right to be angry from what had had happened to Harry. So she began the tale and hoped he would not get angrier then he already was. Fat chance.

"Dumbledore came to us and informed us of Harry's current location. When he told us of your death, he told us that Harry needed to be someplace where no evil would touch him. When knew it would be where his mother's blood would be, but Professor McGonagall protested heavily because she not only heard what kind of people they were from Lily and James, she had staked out the house earlier on to see them."

James/Loki leaned in to listen carefully of the tale, already not liking where this was going.

OoooOoooO

Back in Asgard where Loki's castle resided, Sigyn whipped the sweat off her brow as she left the two guards licking their wounds. As angry as she had been, she had gone easy on them, knowing that they had done nothing to earn her ire. No, the only ones that deserved to suffer were currently out of her power according to Loki.

But it was only a matter of time...

Turning to brighter thoughts, she decided to focus on her new son, Harry. How long has it been since she had a child here before. She had seen her sisters and fellow warriors with them and she always longed to have one of her own. She never could understand how she and Loki, after so many years, never had any before.

She blinked as she had a very faint memory of a child with Loki's face and her eyes and another one with her hair and Loki's eyes. She shook it off, she never had any children before, she would have known and there would have been evidence of it.

"Little one, has thee finished with thy meal?" She asked as she walked into the dining room and paused. Only a small portion of the meal had been eaten and Harry looked a little sick.

"I'm full." He moaned. Harry had never eaten so much food in his life. How had the Dursleys eaten this much and not blow up like balloons? Well, they did look like balloons anyway, except Aunt Petunia, who was always too skinny.

Sigyn blinked. Perhaps having him eat so much was not the best of ideas, but she could still see that he was still too skinny. She leaned forward and placed a palm in her hand. A golden light formed around her hand and spread around Harry.

"Oh, I feel better now." He grinned. The smile was so infectious that she found herself grinning back.

"Come Harry, I have much to show you." Sigyn smiled. Harry slowly climbed down the chair and took Sigyn's hand, who led him towards one of the longer hallways from across the main hall of the castle.

"Where are we going?" He asked innocently. He was still unsure to why he was here. Sure, his daddy brought him here, but why would he want anything to do with a freak like him?

"I am going to show thee the world that will one day be yours." Sigyn smiled, preparing to show Harry just how important he was to not just her, but to all of Asgard. One day, Harry would be the new Trickster king of Asgard, he would be the one who might sit on the throne of Odin (should anything happen to any of the son's of Odin and they left no heirs.) As Harry followed the princess of Asgard, he found himself looking around the hallway. Once again, he saw pictures of his daddy on the walls; many of them having him sneer, scowl or look downright scary, especially when he was surrounded by devastation. In one picture, there was one where he was with a giant wolf, a humongous snake and a pretty lady in green who did not like to smile. As Harry went deeper, there were more paintings, but this time of different people. Many of them looked a lot like his daddy, with the messy hair and smile while wearing long dresses, but they all had different eye colors or hair color and some of them looked old too. Maybe they were more of his family?

Family. Harry found it hard to believe that he had one now. All his life, he thought his parents had been killed in a car crash that had been started from drunk driving. He grew up being told he was good for nothing and that he would never amount to anything in society other then as a waste of space. He always thought that the Dursleys were the only family that he ever had in his whole life (Something that depressed him to no end). Now he knows that not only was his daddy alive, but he was a very important person! In fact, he was a prince, which made him one too. He also learned that while his mommy was really dead, she was a beautiful and wonderful lady who had loved him enough to die for him because of that evil wizard, which meant that his aunt Petunia had lied to him! Why! Why did she hate him so much and said his mommy and daddy were bad people!

The paintings noticed that Harry was starting to cry, so as he walked up many of them gave him reassuring smiles and waved at him, even the ones that looked like they were in the middle of cutting some people up. One of the paintings even made a face at him, eliciting a giggle from him. The painting smiled and remained still, satisfied that it accomplished making the little master content.

"Come here, Harold." Sigyn smiled sweetly as she finally reached the high balcony. "Look yonder and see what you will one day have in the palm of thine hands." Harry blinked and tried to understand what she was saying; but instead, he climbed in her arms and looked over the edge.

"Wow!" Harry awed as he looked at the lands from a high balcony; the lands that Loki, his father, ruled. Sigyn smiled at the sight of Harry enjoying the sights. While she thought the view was lovely, he would have really loved the sights of the golden city of Asgard. Unfortunately, Loki made it clear to her last night that having Harry in Asgard would be a death sentence to the boy.

"This, Harry, is your home. These lands as well as its resources and people will one day be yours to command, to do what you will. And should anything happen to Thor, Balder and your father once Odin retires to Valhalla, you will one day rule all of Asgard." Sigyn wondered if she should tell Harry this when he was new to these realms and its' people. But as the princess of Asgard, it was her duty to train and educate the heir to her husband's kingdom, just as all Odinsons were trained by Odin and Frigga. Even Loki had to learn how to rule, though unlike Thor the crown prince, who was interested in the glory of war at the time, Loki learned of the laws and economics of the kingdom, which in a way, did make him a better ruler then Thor.

Harry was not paying that much attention to what Sigyn was saying, he was too busy looking at the lands before him, the villages were below him bustling with life, forests were everywhere and he could see the ocean. Harry had never seen the ocean before while the Dursleys would enjoy going on vacations to beaches, making sure Harry knew what he had missed. The sight of the mountains far off almost brought tears in his eyes. He had read about mountains before, but he had never thought to see them.

"All this will be mine?" He whispered, wondering if he was still dreaming. Maybe Uncle Vernon hit him hard and he was dreaming in the cupboard. The longer he was here, the more this seemed all a dream. This was happening too fast for him. How did his family go from scum of the earth to rulers of lands?

"Aye Harry. Thou art Loki's heir, which makes you our prince." Sigyn smiled as she ruffled Harry's hair. Loki had the same problem with his hair; he had a spell that allowed him to keep it straight when he was not wearing his helmet. But only Loki knew it and refused to tell anyone the secret.

Although Loki did love keeping his a mess. It gave him a boyish charm, he said.

"I'm a prince?" Harry looked up startled. That made sense since his daddy was one. But Harry never felt that he was anything special. How could he be royalty? More and more, he was sure they had the wrong boy. "But I'm not good enough." He flinched when he saw her frown mar her pretty face; Harry grew worried that he may have upset her.

"You are. And I hope not to hear such words from ye again." Sigyn could clearly see that she had a great deal of damage to undo that was stamped by the Dursleys. A prince must be confident in his skills and sure of himself, otherwise, he would not make an effective leader for the kingdom. "Come Harry, let us remove these clothes and send you some beautiful clothes. The rags you wore yesterday will be dealt with." She wrinkled her nose as she remembered those ghastly things.

"But I don't know how to be a prince, not even play pretend." Harry pointed out. It was hard for him to daydream when you had the scorching sun on you or the Dursleys making sure he didn't even think of doing anything fun. The only pretend games he did was when he wanted to pretend he didn't exist, something that everyone in the neighbourhood seem to encourage.

Sigyn smiled as she petted Harry's untameable hair. "Fret not, young one. You will learn like your father did. You will have tutors to teach you what is proper. I myself will teach you."

Harry perked up and looked at the pretty lady. "You will?"

"Of course, young prince. I shall teach you the fine arts of etiquette, protocol, law, and swordsmanship." She smiled proudly.

Harry tilted his head to the side. "Swordsmanship?"

Sigyn pulled her sword out in a flash and proceeded to perform sword moves that would have professionals green with envy. Harry watched in fascination as the lady finished with a move that would leave even a giant dead before hitting the ground.

"Do not be fooled by the beauty I have inherited from my mother Freya of the Venir, the goddess of beauty. Like her and all of her brood, we are trained in magic and swords; though call me not a Valkyrie." She grinned proudly at both her heritage and skills.

Harry looked at the woman that was to be his step-mother, she was going to help him be a prince. But the words of his Aunt Petunia filled his head on what a lazy good for nothing freak he was. What an ungrateful brat and stupid waste of space he was and how he didn't deserve any of the things that were given to him. Harry looked at his feet, how could he possibly be a prince when he was a bad boy? Why did his daddy want him here, anyway? Why did his daddy want him now? Why did he decide to come back now? Did he miss him? Or did he want something else? All those questions were making him feel sad again.

"Where's daddy" Harry asked as he continued to stare at the ocean. He hoped she didn't see him cry.

Sigyn also stared out as well, looking at the sea splash against the side of the mountains. "He has gone down to Midgard for further study of the protective wards in the prison you had been kept. But he should be back. I know not what keeps him away?"

OoooOoooO

Down in the small neighbourhood of Little Whinging, James sat on the couch as he glared across to Arabella. He had been listening to her about what was going on in Wizarding World. The news about what was going on had done less then please him. While he figured that things would be interesting for Harry due to surviving the killing curse, he had no idea on how the purists would spin this in such a way. Harry is their saviour? And they act like Lily did nothing but die?

"Let me see if I understand this. My son, who had been one year old at the time, is a saviour to the people due to the fact that my wife had performed a ritual to destroy Voldemort... stop that shuddering! The man's been dead for five years!" He scowled as she flinched from the name. Calming down, he continued. "Rather than give the credit to her and sing praises and write books of her, instead it is my son who gains the credit due to some imbecile in the Daily Prophet no doubt getting only half the story from one of the drunken members of the order.

"Yes, I am afraid that is exactly as you put it." She looked at James with dread as this was exactly the reaction she feared he would have. Arabella had been shocked to see James alive. At first she thought it was an illusion. Until he pulled out a wand and swore on his life and magic that he had been born and lived as James Potter. Seeing that he still had his magic, Arabella believed him immediately though she was curious as to how he was still alive from Halloween.

"And Lily? Is she ever mentioned?" he knew it was a stupid question to ask since he was aware that the ministry propaganda was ran by purebloods.

She gulped, knowing he would not like the answer. "Not at all except in history. She has one sentence. 'Lily Potter is the wife of James Potter and mother of the Boy who lived, Harry Potter.'" She was not disappointed with James's reaction to that.

James screamed, causing the cats to scatter. Stupid wizards, stupid mortals! Lily has killed the monster that had been responsible of the deaths of his mortal parents and so many friends and comrades, she proved that even a new blood can be as powerful as a pureblood and this is how they thank her. Not only that, they had placed a target on his son's head. How many Death Eaters or dark lord aspirators wished for the death of his son simply to make a name for them? How did this information come out?

"I want to know why Harry was placed in the Dursleys. They hate magic. The will specifically stated that he be placed with whom we have chosen, and they were not on that list, for a very good reason I might add."

"Well, you see, Dumbledore placed him there." She was viciously interrupted.

"What do you mean Dumbledore placed him here?" Loki's voice was calm and dangerous. He only ever used that tone whenever he was forced to speak to Severus Snape or another Death Eater in interrogation. "I do not recall ever that he is responsible for overseeing where orphans go, especially heirs to ancient houses? Also, he oversaw the will Lily and I made in case worse came to worse."

Arabella shook in fear, wishing for the other members of the Order of the Phoenix, at least they had magic. She couldn't even call Dumbledore or any wizards for help. Magic here no longer worked in this neighbourhood and there were spells that kept her or anyone else from moving in her floo-network built for the others to come in or out of her house. Oddly, James' magic worked just fine. Was the ward that cut off the neighbourhood weakening, or was he responsible for it?

'Don't be stupid, Arabella. Yes, James can be a touch harsh and callous, especially to his enemies, but he is a light wizard. Whoever did this is clearly a dark wizard.' She scolded herself for thinking it, not that James' behaviour was reassuring her.

"Tell me, why did you say nothing about my son's abuse? If you were supposed to protect him, you should have made sure he was safe or better taken care of. Are you aware that he had been starved, forced into labour to 'earn his keep, and had been called a freak. Never mind the lies those creatures told him about Lily and I." He growled out as he clawed the arms of the couch.

"Dumbledore said that the blood wards would protect him from the Death Eaters or any dark creatures that that may wish him harm. He said as long as he called it home, Harry was safe. He was not happy or healthy, but safe." She recited as she shook in both fear and regret.

Loki growled, having experienced the effectiveness of those wards. "But what protected him from the inside? What was the point of such wards if his life was in danger here? He was starved, overworked and was constantly threatened by physical assault from both male Dursleys, while that stain of the Evans line had insulted and spread lies about him all over the neighbourhood." He glared. "Did you know about this?"

"Yes. I have seen the differences in how Dudley was treated compared to Harry. I have seen those rags he wears and seen him working in the scorching sun in the gardens with no sun block on. He is very sensitive towards the sun I noticed as well, not to mention very unenergetic. I have seen the neighbourhood children fight him and have even seen him suffer the contempt of adults." She sniffled, feeling sorry for poor Harry. Every time she looked out the window, she always wondered how Lily and James would feel at how their son was treated. Well, now she knew how James was taking it.

"And you did nothing? My son was abused and you did absolutely nothing about it?" Loki felt the urge to kill rise. She knew about Harry's abuse and she did nothing! And from the impression he was hearing, this wasn't even the worse of it. There was also the sun that was the problem. Harry was of the frost giant line and heat of any form was a severe weakness to them. Many have even been known to die in a small amount of time in the sun. The fact that it only made Harry listless was a life-saver.

Arabella flinched at his accusation. "I tried to tell Dumbledore, but he assured me that Harry was safer here and was probably roughhousing with the children as all children do so, He also told me that the Dursleys probably couldn't afford to feed or clothe both children, never mind the fact that Vernon's job can actually do that or the fact that Harry is the only one who is having problems with food and clothing. When I babysat him, I had to make sure he was bored with pictures of my cats and had only dry cakes. If Harry looked like he was having too much fun with me, the Dursleys would have kept him away..." She flinched as Loki rose up and grabbed a vase next to him.

"EXCUSES! I HATE EXCUSES!" Loki screamed, throwing a vase near her head. She ducked as the shards broke above her and landed on her head, she was lucky she wasn't cut! He glared at the helpless mortal woman. "I doubt highly Harry would have gone around telling the Dursleys' that he was treated like a human being in your house. And the Dursleys wouldn't have stopped to have someone else to babysit Harry. No one seems to neither like nor want to tolerate him in this neighbourhood. And hiring would have cost them money! Do you see Vernon Dursley trying to spend money on Harry or even wanting to? If I know him, he'll let it be that you are kind to him but punish him far more harshly when he gets back. Not a lovely situation, but at least it would have given Harry the hope that he was loved instead of ignored and despised. Or did Dumbledore give you the order to treat my son like he was a worthless waif unworthy of any sort of human love?"

"N-n-no" She sobbed. She had always felt guilty for not doing more for Harry and always told herself that Albus and many other wizards would make it up for him. But to hear it from someone who was one of her only friends growing up was painful. Loki snarled and took in some pleasure in seeing her so weak and guilty. While he may have grown up and lost his so-called 'misguided habits', some habits were hard to break.

Loki was far from done with her. "You are like all the others. They ignore what is in front of them and listen to what others say instead of making their own decisions on things. Those who are not blind still do nothing and are just as bad. You knew what they were doing is wrong and yet you did nothing. You chose to do the easy thing, which is to ignore the problem instead of the right thing. I can see why magic did not choose you as a follower. You truly are undeserving." Loki knew that was a step too far. There were many weaklings just like her in the Wizarding World and they still had magic while she didn't. But right now, he was too furious to care. He also knew that he was not being fair to her. Many people worshiped the man for his wisdom and took everything he said face value. If he said that Harry needed to stay with the Dursleys, then who were they to argue?

Yelling at her for doing this and saying she deserved not to have magic was not right, but Loki did not care at the moment.

Arabella sobbed as the insult did indeed hit home. "I told Dumbledore that he wasn't being well cared. I told him they were hurting him and he told me that when he had the time, he'll talk to the Dursleys. I had hoped it would solve everything."

"And what a great solution that was. I know Dumbledore better than that. He would claim to help, then something would either come up or it would interfere in his big picture plan, then he would make a million excuses and do nothing!" Loki glared. As James, he worshipped the man as a hero and leader of the light against the current Dark lord, even though his father would often have disagreements with him on how things should be done, both in politics and battlefields. Now that he was back to normal, Loki had his eyes opened and saw many things about the old man that he had disregarded like everyone else.

"But Dumbledore said," But Loki was not about to stop his rant.

"WHAT," He screamed, before he calmed down. "Do I care about that senile old mortal?" Loki felt his hate rise. "What does he have to do with this? It is bad enough that he made those confounded blood wards that continue to stop my crusade for vengeance! So what do I care?" he snarled. What was Dumbledore's game anyway there was no way he did not know what kind of people of Dursleys were? Besides, his will specifically placed Harry in Sirius' care. Something he had regretted when it seemed his so-called brother had abandoned his duties as a godfather and gone who knows where.

Loki sat back on the couch with smouldering eyes as his trademark sneer appeared. "Lily sought you as a friend. Confided in you and helped you adapt in the muggle world when she saw you struggle in the Wizarding world. She went out of her way to show you that you had other options in your life and when she died, you repay her like this? Ignore what was in front of you because of Dumbledore's say-so. Forget your responsibilities to your friends? You are no better than Black." He snarled, still annoyed with his irresponsible brother.

Loki did not expect such a violent reaction from that statement. She roared and glared at him with fury.

"DO NOT COMPARE ME TO THAT TRAITOR!" she screamed, and then she gasped as she realized she had yelled at the Lord of House Potter, and as a Squib, he could demand her death. While the old James would not do that, this current one was clearly not in a mood to show her mercy. She sat on her couch and quivered, expecting fire and brimstone.

Loki simply raised an eyebrow on that exclamation and wondered what that idiot did now? It wouldn't be the first time Sirius had done something that would somehow offend people. "I do not really care on what he has done now. Just tell me what I wish to know." He sneered as he sat back on the sofa.

"What do you want to know?" She asked sullenly, she could see that James was behaving in a way that reminded her of Malfoy, arrogant, condescending and dangerous. The sooner she got on with the interrogation, the sooner he would leave.

"Everything. Tell me everything you can about my son and his time here. Tell me what has been done to him, in the slightest detail. Tell me if he has anyone to go to help with. Tell me what he knows about his heritage. Does he know about being a wizard? Does he know that Voldemort tried to kill him over a prophecy that even I know nothing about? Does he even know who Lily was?"

Arabella blinked at the questions, she knew he wanted to know about his son and his time with the Dursleys, but isn't he at least curious about the Order? The last she saw of Remus, he was under a lot of stress and guilt, which will bode badly if the full moon comes. The wolf in him will feed on that self-loathing and mutilate itself even further than usual in his mindset.

"Is that all, don't you want to know what happened to the Wizarding world? Or maybe what has been going on with the Order of Phoenix?" She had at least thought that he would be interested to know that the traitor Black was in Azkaban. The cold eyes and ruthless sneer told her the opposite.

"I cannot stress to you on how little I care about these fools. They are not my concern, only my Harry. Now speak and do not question me further again." He was in no mood to care about what the other order was doing; they seemed to be content in not caring on how his son was doing, so why not give them that same courtesy?

It will be a few weeks later that Loki will kick himself for not asking her to explain. A mistake that would tear him apart when he learned of Remus and Sirius.

OoooOoooO

Back in Asgard in one of the royal seamstress's rooms, Poor Harry was not having any fun.

Harry blushed as he was stripped of his clothes. He never allowed himself to be naked for too long. He didn't want anyone to see his scar-ridden freakish body. What if they thought it ugly? The other reason he was blushing was because there were so many girls here and he was naked. They kept cooing at him and some of them thought he looked as red as a tomato.

"Hold still, my prince." An old woman said as she rubbed some prickly ointment on him. He squirmed a bit and gave his stepmother the puppy dog eyes, hoping she would save him. Sigyn wasn't looking at him however; she was looking at the colors of the clothes that they were going to make just for Harry. Harry told her he would be happy with any clothes, Sigyn answered that by throwing his old clothes in the fireplace.

Harry expected to see disgust, but all he saw were smiles as they started measuring him. Looking down, he was stunned to look at himself and see unblemished skin. He was surprised to see that the scars were gone, though the old one on his forehead was still there.

Noticing his curiosity of the lack of wounds, Sigyn leaned down and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I had healed your body last night when I washed ye. I knew that you needed to move on from your torment from those creatures that harmed ye." It still hurt her to know that this boy had suffered for so many years just because he knew magic. She was rather annoyed that she could not remove the scar on his forehead, but no amount of her magic or potions would help her. There was something about that scar that prevented her from doing anything and any further attempts would hurt Harry.

Sigyn then informed him that his room was almost ready, which made Harry a bit sad; he liked sleeping with his parents. Again, Sigyn proved to be observant.

"Ye may not sleep there right away. I would be honoured to know you are comfortable sleeping with your father and me." Sigyn smiled warmly, her hand caressing his cheek. Harry smiled shyly, still not used to affection. Sigyn was nice and felt like how a mommy should be, even though she wasn't really his mommy, but he hoped she could be, he liked how nice his new mommy was. Harry also liked his daddy a lot, he was strong, brave and could do magic and he was an important man because he was a prince and princes were important. Not as important as kings, but still important. Harry was not blind however; he knew his daddy could be scary too. And he wasn't the only one to think that, everyone except mommy Sigyn seemed afraid of his daddy. Still, his daddy hadn't tried to scare him again after yesterday in the land of giants. In fact, he looked really sad when he realized that he had scared him and had promised to never do it again.

Harry began to pout as more clothes aides came in and pinned him with more clothing. Some even pinched his cheeks while others scowled at his skinny body and made him promise that he fatten up the next time they came by to make him new clothes. Even Loki as a child was not this skinny, despite the frost giant's enormous and infamous appetite.

"Yes, green is a beautiful color on him, make sure they match his eyes perfectly." Sigyn smiled as she looked at Harry. The green made him look like a little Loki.

"If I may be so bold, Mistress?" Sigyn nodded to Olga to continue. "He would also look so lovely in blue. It would also help to get him darker colors too as they would look exquisite on him." She looked down at Harry, who gave her the loveliest smile.

"Yes, mature colors will do nicely." She decided. Harry had such a princely face: his noble cheekbones, his wide clear eyes and his chin. Once he's old enough and loses his baby fat, he'll be more beautiful than even Balder the Beautiful.

"What of his crown, milady?" Harry looked up, startled. No matter how many times he denied it, he was reminded that he was a prince and a very important person as well.

She grinned. "Loki has spoken to me that he will personally see to a commission to Harry's crown. Once that is finished, your father and I will speak of your schooling." She grinned. She could see that Harry did not look to happy about it, most children were not.

"Do I have to?" Harry didn't like school. The teachers and the kids didn't like him and he was never smart enough for it. Everyone said he was stupid and wouldn't amount to anything. Not to mention they would find out what a freak he was and beat him up for it. He'll have to worry about Harry hunting all over again. Then he'll get blamed for trying to get away from them and his daddy and the nice lady would get angry at him and punish him.

"Yes, my son. You must. Loki would expect you educated as well." Sigyn knew that Loki valued intelligence more than anything. For Harry to remain ignorant was unacceptable. Even his monstrous children were rather articulate and well-read, though they lack in etiquette. Most especially Fenris, that wolf had the worst table manners.

"Ohhhh..." Harry was sad that he had to go back. No doubt he would be friendless there as well.

Sigyn smiled and looked him in the eye. "Harry, everything will be fine. I promise you on my life and magic that you will have an enjoyable time."

Harry really hoped she would keep that promise.

OoooOoooO

Meanwhile, back on Midgard, James had exited the house of one traitorous friend. After threatening to end her life if she spoke to anyone about this meeting, James stormed out of the house in a rage. He should have known that Harry would be ignorant about the prophecy (Dumbledore was a meddler but he latched to his secrets like a mother clutches her baby), but that he did not even know about the simple fact that he was a wizard; let alone the heir to the Potter line?

The god of mischief shifted to his real form and flew in the air. Someone was going to die and he would make sure it was the guilty party.

But first...

Jomungand was in the middle of a wonderful dream where he had finally defeated and eaten Thor. Just when he and his siblings were going to celebrate by burning Asgard down, he once again felt his snout assaulted.

"OWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!" Jomungand shouted as his nose was being repeatedly attacked by someone's feet, he glared at his infuriated father. "STOP KICKING ME!"

"I will when you stop acting like an imbecile! I know I raised you better then that!" Loki shouted as he waved his fist at the giant serpent. Fenris was never this much trouble! "I just learned that not only has Harry summoned a snow storm, a feat worthy of the creator of frost giants, but that his powers had attracted every hero and villain on the planet! When were you going to warn me about this!" As angry as he was, he knew that Jomungand was not completely to blame about forgetting things, being a cold-blooded reptile. With winter coming close, he knew that Jomungand's physical and mental facilities would slow down before he entered hibernation, but to forget something like this?

Jomungand winced. In retrospect, he probably should have mentioned that part as well. "The ice storm is obviously a power from his bloodline, his father. I'm sure you would have learned of that eventually, especially when he was in the realm of Frost Giants. And I highly doubt he will be able to do so again. It seemed like a fluke to me created by stress. And as for the heroes of this realm knowing of this, I see no problem. Harry will not be returning to Midgard."

"It is very important for me to learn the limits of Harry's powers. How am I to protect him when he can summon storms on a whim? Snow Storms in Asgard are rare unless the Frost giants come to invade. Someone is bound to notice that I have snow coming down on my lands and come to investigate it. I doubt it was a fluke since he was exercising that ice power on me when I met him." Loki shouted, still annoyed that he had been 'iced'.

Jomungand snickered as he imagines a frozen Loki-icicle. "After you scared half his life away, may I add." Jomungand added, dodging the next kick and head-butting Loki. His father was annoyed while Jomungand snickered. "And may I remind you that he has the blood of my ancestors. Harry, whether anyone likes it or not, is part frost giant, therefore, whatever abilities he has will stick, especially since I've seen examples of his ice powers. And as for returning to Midgard, of course he's coming back here. Harry is mortal. He has to know the roots from his mother's line." He shouted in frustration. Harry was needed on Midgard, not because of some prophecy, but a feeling told him so. Over the years, Loki learned to always trust his feelings over those of his friends. It was those feelings that told him that the builder of the wall may be a giant, those feelings that told him to hide his children when they were born, those same feelings that told him that Sigyn was the woman he should marry. Even as James, they never failed. It was the one to allow Sirius in his life, even though he was the son of Blacks (occasionally, he forgot that his mother had been one.) It was that feeling that made him reach out to Remus, the very same one that would often warn him when Sirius was about to do something stupid (boy did that feeling come often.) and the same feeling that was telling him that Harry was needed there.

Jomungand blinked. "Is that wise, father? It is not just the heroes that have an interest in him. I have seen a great deal of wizards appear here. Some of them were tainted with the foulest forms of magic." Jomungand normally cared not of those wizards with those taints. But they were interested in his brother, that made them trouble.

"Wizards? Anyone I know?" Loki asked, and then took a deep breath. "Were Sirius and Remus there?"

"I am afraid that Sirius Black was not there nor have I seen him near this area, not even in his animagus form." He flinched at the heart wrenching look in his father's eyes before they became cold. "I saw Remus Lupin. ... he seemed to be sick however. I do believe that he feels guilty for what has happened. Or it could be because the next full moon was coming soon. You have often told us that he would get sick whenever his transformation was coming close. But he made no attempts to speak up or say anything against the Dursleys. He remained quiet and followed the other wizards out of the neighbourhood."

Loki sighed and covered his face with his hands. When will the disappointments stop?

"You'll be happy to know that your mentor, the witch McGonagall was there. She was quite furious and I do believe had it not been the intervention of the old one, she would have butchered them with those claws and fangs she has. She was quite devastated about what happened and how she felt she failed you. I suggest you go see her, father. It would mend her old heart." Jomungand suggested. The old woman was young for a witch, but she seemed to age more and more whenever she learned more of Harry's abuse. He had been watching her in the castle. She continuously wept at night and lost her temper more often around the old one. Loki felt sad to learn the woman who was his aunt in all but blood was hurt and miserable. He decided to put her on the 'wait and see' list.

"She was not happy with the old one or the greasy one who continued to insult my brother. The greasy one apparently believes that Harry is a spoiled arrogant attention seeking brat that was purposely displaying magic just to get attention. His words not mine." Jomungand snarled. If you call defending yourself from rocks to be attention seeking then this man had quite the childhood.

Loki snarled in a manner that reminded the serpent of an angry Fenris. Loki had absolutely no love for Snape. Although he was a spy for them in the war, they still could not stand one another. Snape never forgave him for stealing Lily away and James would never forgive Snape for his crimes both in Hogwarts and when he became a Death Eater. Dumbledore may believe in second chances, just as Odin has, but Loki was a being that was always 'better safe than sorry' when it came to trusting people.

It was foolish to trust people, they would betray you in the end and you would be far more hurt from it. He realized that, now as once again, those he trusted failed him. He was nudged by his serpent son to gain his attention.

"Father, I overheard something about a cupboard. I suggest you break the wards quickly and learn what was in there that had your mentor so bloodthirsty." Jomungand hissed, while Loki nodded. He doubted whatever he found in there would make him angrier then he already was, but the Dursleys, when it came to infuriating, had exceeded his expectations. "Should I also mention that Harry can speak my native tongue?" Jomungand added to get his father out of his inner ranting.

It had worked. The look on his face was rather comical that Jomungand snickered in a snakelike hiss.

"Your tongue? Harry can speak your mother-tongue?" And to Loki, it really was Jomungand's mother tongue as Angrodba was the one who spoke it, which she had from the Elder God Set's line.

A frown marred on the giant serpent's face. "Strange though, Harry is of the Potter line and Gryffindor line. As far as I know, that line has never mixed with any of Set's followers. The Slytherin is the only one that I have given my gift to. Big mistake on my part if I had known how his descendants would have squandered it." He hissed. The problem with gifts from gods was that gods were not allowed to take them away. (2)

"Oh, how so?" Loki will admit he did not know much about Slytherin line as he had always been more interested in the Gryffindor. It was quite ironic that Loki would rather be a Gryffindor then a Slytherin, considering that he was practically the incarnation of what a proper Slytherin should be.

"The Gaunts, who were supposed to represent me, were a joke, to both the magical and non-magical world. And Tom Riddle!" Loki growled as his son hissed that name. "Bad enough he further abused the powers I bestowed my ancestors by causing an imbalance in magic as well as killing the followers of many of the gods. To further anger me, he decides to kill my stepmother and nearly kill my father and brother." His eyes gave the same glow his father gave whenever he was displeased. The Gaunts were not very cunning. He did not expect them to be book-smart like Ravenclaws, as there is a difference between being knowledgeable and being shrewd. But they showed no signs of slyness and made no effort to even hide their crimes. In fact, they would proudly declare they did it, thinking that their bloodlines and names would protect them (Sadly, in the Wizarding world, unless you have money to go with that name, that doesn't mean anything.) The only one that showed any signs of cunning had been Merope Gaunt, who wanted to live the luxurious life with a handsome non-magical male, by the use of a love potion. It would have guaranteed her the perfect life. All she had to do was wait for Tom Riddle to be born and have him declared the Heir to Riddle mansion. Even if he had stopped taking the love potion, by then, everyone would have known of the marriage and the child and he would have been declared with witnesses. It would have hurt his reputation if he had turned her and her son away then. But the slow-witted girl had assumed that that Tom Riddle had fallen sufficiently in love with her enough and had ended the potion before the brat had even been born.

What a surprise, he left her and went back home, leaving her with nothing but a swollen belly! Stupid girl!

As for Tom Marvolo Riddle himself! He should have been drowned at birth! That ... creature had caused nothing but pain since childhood. Even in Hogwarts, he was the incarnation of cruelty to others. Releasing the Basilisk to attack children over something over blood was not only hypocritical considering his lineage, but reminded him too much on how he was and his siblings were treated.

Say what you want about the Serpent Emperor, but Jomungand had limits to his evil, and over the years, he had mellowed on his hate for mankind. After all, he can stop time whenever he materialized; it would have been easy to have eaten the friends of Thor's years ago, though his hate for Thor and the Asgardians remained stronger than ever. Otherwise he would have eaten all those pesky little heroes years ago. But that would have left the planet defenceless from outside forces. Midgard may be his prison, but it was one that he had grown fond of. It would not do for beings such as the Kree and Skrull to succeed in conquering Midgard, which would make his life difficult. He had nearly died of terror when Galactus showed up to absorb him and his home and was grateful for the Silver Surfer and Fantastic Four for their intervention.

No, Jomungand was also not pleased with the evil wizards. He was even less so when they had harmed his family; and no one did that! And lately, he had been feeling a great deal of guilt. He was the one that had started this whole blood nightmare with Salazar Slytherin. Had he known how far he would go for the blood purity, he would have never had encouraged the man's hate.

Karma truly did hit you back, no matter how long it would take. Shiva was right about that.

"Father?" Jomungand started as he let out another toxic sigh. Several swarms of ducks fell from the sky.

Loki looked at his second born. His son seemed suddenly apprehensive about something. "Yes?"

Jomungand found that he could not continue to speak. What was he supposed to say? That he was at fault for Lily's death as well as the suffering of his youngest son? That Voldemort's path was started because he had approached Salazar Slytherin out of pure boredom? No, his father would never forgive him. While Loki may have made schemes that normally backfired exponentially, he always made sure it never did anything to harm them in the long run, even schemes that involved them never went as bad as this.

"Never mind. Tis not important." Loki frowned but decided not to push it. Jomungand was as stubborn as he was when it came to secrets. Whatever he wanted to tell him could wait for now, right now he had important matters to talk about. He really was curious as to wonder where Harry had gained his tongue from. They did not have the same mother and Harry's mother, though powerful in her own right, had not inherited any gifts nor was she any follower of Set or him.

"Do you suppose Set or Seth may have had something to do with this? That your mortal line were his followers?" He asked the pensive Trickster, desperate to change the conversation.

"Doubtful. Father's line never had any love for snakes, and my mother Dorea, although she was a Black, her family worshiped me. Lily was always terrified of snakes and never did choose a specific god to worship. I believe she said her family were catholic. How Harry gained this is another mystery that I will solve as well. I have many things I wish to know, such as what has been going on with all my old friends." Loki had sneered at the last part. As far as he was concerned, they were no friends of his by how they treated and abandoned his son.

"There is more. The Sorcerer Supreme has been here. He seems very interested in Harry as well. Considering the political clout the Sorcerer's guild has, this does not bode well." Jomungand shook his head. Harry was definitely a Lokison, trouble seemed to follow him no matter what.

Loki felt a headache come on. Stephen Strange was no threat to him, as long as Harry was on Asgard. But on Midgard, the mortal sorcerer had far too many friends, one of them being the Avengers, a group dedicated in making his life miserable. He knew that the Sorcerer had a large influence in the Wizarding World at large, and if Harry was truly a symbol in the Wizarding World, he'll stop at nothing to take Harry back from him; even going so far as using force.

When he was Loki, he always was annoyed with the mortal sorcerer, as Strange was an ally to Thor and the one mortal that had defied him with magic. But when he was James, he hated him with a passion. He had shown far too much interest in Lily then he had liked. Lily always claimed that his interest was professional and only on increasing her mystic arts, but Loki was not fooled! What man could resist Lily?

'It seems the entire world is after my son.' Loki thought remorsefully. How did things get so out of control like that? How could his son be in the center of this madness?

Loki knew who to blame for that! "Damn those blood purists! They would rather give credit to a half-blood baby then ever admit that a new-blood adult witch can do anything! It should be Lily that they have in history books; it should be her name singing in honour! The Wizarding World owed Lily a debt of gratitude and a life debt! Harry had done nothing but survive, and that was because of her." He raved. "My wife gave her life to stop that man! She gave her life to make sure that not only would her son survive, but the Wizarding world as well, and this is how they thank her!" Loki's temper was so terrifying that Jomungand actually pulled back in fear.

"They have the criminals escape and continue to walk free. People forgot the horror and rather then make new laws or restrictions, they are satisfied that the threat is over and are continuing to behave as before. Prejudice is running rampant and many of my friends are dead or worse. In all this, while my son is praised, he is abandoned in a neighbourhood of indifferent and contemptuous fools where abuse is considered normal. Yet not one wizard, who sees him as a hero, will bother to help him." Loki ranted.

He wanted to scream, shout and raze the people below him. He wanted to take his anger out on something, anything. To know that there are so many people out to kill or use his son, who was completely innocent in everything was just too much. Lily had died to protect Harry only for that to be thrown in her face; his friends had gone away and ignored Harry or allowed the abuse to happen for some unknown Dumbledore plan. From what he had learned they were not even ignorant of the abuse but had allowed it to occur because he was deemed 'safer' here than anywhere else.

Jomungand pressed his nose on Loki's belly in a form of a cuddle. "All the more reason to leave Harry on Asgard, father. Do what we normally do, when they turn their backs on us; we turn our backs on them. Do nothing for them and let them destroy themselves in their wars and hate. We can even feed the flames and help both sides to allow their hate to last. They will die and the rest of the Wizarding World will burn with them. Why bother helping them, anyway? You have Harry and the others have left him on his own. You gain nothing from helping them except pain and aggravation."

Loki was very tempted to do just that. In fact, he would gladly leave those ungrateful maggots to their deaths! They did not deserve to be saved and they should never have been protected the first time around. So why should he waste his time and energy to a bunch of sheep? Let them figure out their own problems. Harry would learn more from him and he would also have his last family of his mortal life safe and sound at least. Let those fools that had been his friends suffer for their betrayal.

But...

Something was stopping him, a lingering doubt. A strong resistance that was telling him that leaving them was not an option.

"Go to Asgard, father. Go to Harry. He is more important than they are. You have no obligation, no reason to go help the Wizarding World." Jomungand cooed as he pressed his nose deeper on his father's stomach.

He was right. Why should he stay... he had no duty to them... Duty.

Duty...

A Potter's duty...

HIS Duty...

He suddenly remembered one Christmas when he had questioned his father on defending Muggleborns despite the fact that it made him unpopular with the other purebloods. He recalled one particular conversation from his father.

OoooOoooO

"Why do you do it, father?" Fourteen year old James Potter was in the center of the training hall, having finished practicing his fencing lessons with his father.

"Oh, do what" Charlus Potter asked sagely as he blue eyes looked back at James' brown ones.

"Why do you constantly protect the rights of those who won't fight for it themselves? What do you gain from them? They can't stand up for themselves and are too afraid to fight for themselves." James asked as he removed his fencing gloves.

Charlus answered without another thought. "Because I am a Potter, James. If I don't help them, who will?"

"Can't they help themselves? Why do we have to do anything for them? It doesn't affect us and it doesn't concern us? If they really are being treated unfairly, why have they not protested this?" James was curious on how the Muggleborns could choose to stay in their world if they truly felt that their rights were squandered. If they did not like where their lives were going, why not go back to the Muggle world?

"How, my son? They do not have power within the ministry or a voice among us? Any complaint will be ignored or scoffed. In the Ministry, I have seen piles of complaints go to the fire place without anyone even opening them," He sighed; he'll admit things had gotten better over the decades. At least muggle-hunting was now illegal in this day and age, even if the some of the wizards still compare them to wild animals. "Every year, more of their rights are trampled; and whenever a dark lord rises, it is them that suffer the most. How can they possibly defend themselves when the government that is supposed to do that doesn't?"

"If they refuse to fight for themselves, why bother? I must ask again: What do you get out of it? Why bother to help those that cannot help themselves, why not leave them to fight on their own?" James implored.

"I do not do this to be popular or make myself a hero. I do this because if I don't, then who will? Who will protect those whose rights are being revoked? Who will fight for them? We already have enough problems with that murderous madman with a French name. He has been making a mess for both those not born from Wizarding families and those that are. Because of him, the blood politics are worse than ever, even among children. I actually heard a six year old girl call a new arrival in the Wizarding world a mudblood. Judging from her tone, I doubt she even knew what the word meant. But we live in a world where even children are drawn in blood superiority when we should stand together."

"But they are too afraid to fight him or the ministry for their rights, and you are only one man. How can you make a difference?" James asked, desperate to understand. Why was his father constantly trying to endanger himself for people whom won't do it themselves? Did he not understand that the Death Eaters and political cutthroats were just looking for reasons to get rid of him. He had recently heard that Molly lost her two brothers, Gideon and Fabien, both whom have barely left Hogwarts. He also heard many other people who openly resisted the dark lord.

Charlus smiled at his only son as he rose and went to the fire mantle. On top of it was a sword in a golden sheath. With great reverence, he pulled it down and held it in his hands, palms up. James recognized it as the sword of Gryffindor, wielded by his ancestor and one of the founders of Hogwarts. It was a weapon that for many generations, the Potters have wielded. He used to daydream that it would be in his hands, and with it, he might use it to duel Voldemort and end his reign of terror forever. He'll be a hero to the Wizarding World and all this nightmare would go away. But even he knew it would not be that simple. (3)

"The only thing worse than those performing evil are those who see evil and do nothing to stop it. How many lives have been lost because we knew what was happening to our fellow men but did nothing to help them because it was not 'our problem'. I cannot, in good conscious watch as good people get hurt because of the selfishness and evil of those in power." He looked at James with a sad smile. "Perhaps I won't make a difference, but if I do die, it will be with my head held high, knowing that I, at least, tried."

He caressed the sheath and then pulled out the sword of Gryffindor from it. Smiling at the engravings of Godric Gryffindor's name, he handed it to James, hilt first. James grinned and held it in front of him, never getting tired of holding a piece of his heritage.

"One day, you shall be the Potter Lord, and you will see the injustice that the World around us has. We must be vigilant and never allow evil or corruption to enter our society. We are members and lords of the Wizengamot; therefore we must uphold the laws and the rights of the citizens of the magical world. But most of all, we are Potters. Descendents of Godric Gryffindor the most valiant of all founders, members of his house of bravery and honour. As such, it is our solemn duty to uphold justice and right the wrongs done to others."

"I understand, father." James was not being truthful; he did not understand why his father was so intent in fighting for people who will not fight for themselves. It would be three years later after he gains the headship and marries Lily Evans that he begins to understand the responsibilities entitled to him.

"I know you don't, James. But you will, someday." He smiled as he placed his hands on the young Potter's shoulders. "Now recite to me out family motto."

OoooOOooO

Loki closed his eyes as a thin tear drop fell from his right eye. Though not as bad as Lily's death, thinking about his deceased father pained him as well. The man had been a gem among mortals: He fought for what was right, was considered to be a powerful wizard and as rich as the Malfoys and was related to the Founder Godric Gryffindor. Yet he never let it get to his head. He was always honourable, brave and cared more for the people someone of his status should. He was just as popular as Albus except no one held him in awe or reverence. He was simply a model Wizard that the ordinary ones should follow.

He was a man who was so full of life and always had an extra spring in his step despite the dark times. A role model, he was the perfect man who liked a good joke and pulling one as well. And his mother, so beautiful, so wise and quite the spitfire, especially with her 'Black' family magic line and training. Together, they were the prominent family in the Wizarding world.

And that was why Loki was sure that there was foul play in their deaths. They died in their sleep and there was no forced entry or anything, not even signs of spells or potions. James, however, had been sure it was murder. Loki, now, knew that it was, and he would find his father's assassin someday and give justice to his mortal family.

Jomungand watched the emotions go through his father's head. Never had he seen his father so pensive before. Worried, he tried to get his attention.

"Father..." he hissed. Loki seemed to snap out of his trance, and then he took a deep breath and recited his family motto.

"Potter necesse semper facio dilgvnt officium." Loki whispered as his horns hid his eyes.

"What?" his serpentine son asked. Loki looked up and an expression Jomungand had never seen before was on his father's face.

"It is the Latin family motto for: A Potter must always do his duty."

Jomungand blinked as he looked at his father. "Meaning...?"

"Meaning that I cannot ignore this any longer. No, not so much can't as in I won't ignore this." Loki sighed as he rubbed his left temple. "This is not a problem that will go away in time, it will simply repeat the cycle every time it seems to stop. This is no longer just about Lily or Harry. I am James Potter, and whether I like it or not, I have a duty to the Wizarding World, and I have been ignoring it for too long by exiling myself to Asgard." Despite floating, Loki was walking around in a circle, which he normally did when he was pondering something deep.

"As Gods, we've all been ignoring our duties to the magical mortals. And because of this, look how far they have fallen. I admit that Midgard will never be as great as the Asgardians or the other nine realms, being mortals and all, but they are our responsibilities. They pray and worship us in the hopes that we can help them, especially for those in turmoil that cry out for justice."

"You speak as if you say that you are not only doing this for Harry." Jomungand will not be the first Lokison to admit that his father's plans and motives mystify him, but this was ludicrous. Loki Laufeyson actually cared about someone other than himself? That would be like saying that Thor is dishonourable and evil.

"It is not just him that has suffered. What about the other new-bloods or half-bloods that have been through this. What about all the new students who come to the Wizarding world with wide eyes and awe, expecting a wonderful world of magic. They do not know their rights are impeded or that if a pureblood attacks them the ministry will ignore it because purebloods take precedence. And if a non-magical is attacked, their memories are wiped of the event and they are shipped to a hospital and ignored. Never mind the fact that they will be vulnerable again as they have no memory of the attacker, who will likely attack them again. What is worse is that the Governments' and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s hands are probably tied due to the laws and treaties and the lack of evidence of what has happened." Loki lost his anger and looked sad and even guilty. He should have stayed to make sure that there were no loose ends. But Lily's death had hit him so hard and the fear of his enemies seeking out Harry made him want to leave Midgard and never want to return. 'So many people dead or worse off. Many of them children! All of them victimized because they were born from non-magical people. All of them gone in a flash of green light or tortured by a red light of hate because they do not come from an old family.' Loki felt the same rage he felt back at Hogwarts every time a new blood student would receive news threat their parents were tortured or killed and nothing was done for the poor child.

"I know life is unfair, I, of all people, know that. But this is far too much! As a God, I cannot ignore this injustice. Since the other gods will not do anything about this, then I will. Once I have made sure that Harry is comfortable in his surroundings, I will come back to this world and I will end this blood politic once and for all." Loki looked at his clenched face. "I will not allow this injustice to continue."

Jomungand stared at his father, never in his life had he seen him so passionate and sympathetic for anything other than him. Obviously, Odin's plan to change Loki had worked in a way. Speaking of his hated grandfather...

"Wouldn't the All-Father be annoyed to know you have broken your stipulation of returning to Midgard?" Jomungand finally said as he tried to shake off his awe in that speech. His eyes widened when Loki went from remorse to anger and determination.

"So be it! It would not be the first time I have done this! He should be used to this! Besides, he cares not about what I do to the mortals unless it has something to do with his favoured son. Other than that, I'll doubt he'll care what I do with my time." Loki sneered when he mentioned the All-father and dear brother. "If I must fight all of Asgard to protect them, then so be it."

"Sympathy for the mortals? Who are you and what has happened to Loki? You are acting too much like Thor for my tastes. " The World Dragon's eyes widened comically as he realized that he just insulted his father; by comparing him to his loathsome enemy. He expected a kick coming his way, instead something else surprised him.

Loki laughed; and it was not his usual derisive laugh or maniacal. It was the playful and honestly amused laugh that he used to hear when he was a child along with his siblings.

It was a nice sound to hear again.

Loki managed to control himself as his eyes glowed with amusement. "You have some nerve comparing me to that overly developed fool! As for my new found sympathy for mortals, Living among them has changed me for the better." He gave his son an affectionate pat on the head, causing a small smile on the snake.

But the serpent then raised an eye ridge as he caught on to the words. "You have lived with mortals before." He pointed out. Loki was known to come to Midgard when Asgard bored him, which was often.

"No, I have disguised myself as one and walked among them. But I have never truly lived with them. I have never shared their fears, their anger and their need for justice. I was always been there along the ride but merely there to watch in amusement, not participate. As James, I have learned many things from mortals. Many that surprises me to this day. I wish to make the magical world a better place." He chuckled as he looked amused by his declaration. "I suppose in that aspect, I am like Thor. While he protects the ordinary world, I will protect the magical." He smiled a ghost of his mischievous smile. "Do not expect me to be heroic and start rescuing damsels and saving the day from one disaster to another. If I plan on protecting the world, it will be done the only way I know: Loki-style!" He struck a silly pose as he said this. Jomungand blinked his large serpent eyes before he too broke into a laugh. As he laughed, he wrapped his coils tightly around his father tin a tight snake hug.

Jomungand, of the three Lokison, had always been the most affectionate.

"Welcome back, Trickster! It is good to finally see the mirth and mischief in thine eyes." Jomungand smiled, happy to have his father back. Loki smiled back and moved closer to his second-born... Then he promptly kicked Jomungand again. Jomungand touched his nostrils as he glared at his father. This was going to hurt for the whole day.

"That's for thinking you wouldn't get one for that Thor insult." He gave another kick, though it was half-hearted.

"That's an extra one for discipline." He grinned.

"One of these days, you won't watch where you're flying, and then, CHOMP!"

Loki laughed softly, which cheered Jomungand a bit. "I'd love to see you try that." With that Loki disappeared. Jomungand chuckled as he closed his eyes and went back to his sleep. Winter was coming and he would soon enter hibernation.

OoooOoooO

Loki walked back to his castle as he mused the day. There was much he had to learn. So far, the news of the Wizarding world had displeased him. But for Lily's memory and all the newborns magical across the world, Loki swore he would find a way to fix this, whether he had Odin's blessing or not.

Then there was Harry's parseltongue and ice powers. Loki was sure Harry was not a follower of the snake gods. So the question is how did Harry have it? And while he had experienced Harry's power, to call upon the storms was something he had not expected. It drove home that Harry would be powerful. It also told him that many people would fear him for it or use him for their own means. He didn't know which scared him the most.

"Daddy!" A voice broke his musings. He blinked as something latched to his leg. Looking down, he saw a now well dressed Harry smiling up at him while he hugged his leg possessively. Loki smiled at the sight of his son. He was so cute that whatever bad mood he was in was ruined at the sight of him.

"Well, who is this young boy in such princely garments? I don't recall inviting royalty in my home."

"It's me! Harry!" Harry grinned. Loki pretended to look shocked.

"You're kidding me!" Loki took a long good look at his son. Harry was in a tight blue suit that reminded him of what he wore as a child. His boots were black and the cape around his shoulder was long and black as well. On his chest was a large silver lightning bolt sign which may represent the scar on his head or the rune mark of the sun. He had a black hood that covered his ears and forehead and on his head was a crown circlet with another lightning bolt on the center that covered his scar completely. The top of the hood was cut off to show off his messy hair, which Sigyn tried but failed to straighten out. Loki took advantage of this by ruffling it further. Harry giggled and tried to push his hand away.

"You already look like a prince, my son. How I wish to show you off to the people of Asgard. They would be green with envy that I hold such a crown jewel in my kingdom. But it is for the best you remain hidden." He softly said as he tipped Harry's chin up to look at him. All he needed was to put on a bit more weight and grow a few inches and he would be satisfied that Harry was a healthy normal boy.

"Do you want to see my new room?"Harry asked with an affectionate smile that warmed Loki's cold heart. Already, he felt the anger he had today dissipate.

"Oh, it's finished already. I do hope it was not rushed." He gave a pointed side glance to his servants, who whimpered in fear and nodded. Loki smirked and allowed Harry to take his hand and 'drag' him to the highest tower. While Harry was leading him and talking about childless nonsense, Loki started to think about what he was going to do about Harry's strange powers. How he got them or from whom he received them from were not important. Now he needed to focus on how to control them. Parseltongue wasn't a problem; it was not often spoken, but could be used as the All-tongue. Harry will be taught many other languages that would be necessary for him to cast spells, including Latin.

His ice powers were a problem, though. Loki had no way of teaching Harry how to use them since even when he had been a pure ice giant he never had those powers. Also, their powers acted badly when they were active. It would be disastrous to have Harry and him in the same room as Loki hated cold just as much as Harry hated heat. They could not deal with one another when their powers were on the go.

Harry started to shake his hand to get his attention. They had arrived to one of Loki's towers and were in a circular and large room. Loki managed to get out of his musings long enough to see his son's new room.

The entire room was as large as Loki's own bedroom; the windows were enchanted to show Harry the outside world while it was pitch black to all who looked in from the outside. The light from the sun hit the small crystals on the ceiling brightening up the room. Of course, for the night times, his torchlight connected to the wall near his door would magically flare up. The walls were made of stone and carved with invisible runes running around them to protect any who dares become a threat to Harry as well as inform him when a guest was in Harry's room. Painted on the stone was a forest similar to forbidden forest near Hogwarts. Every now and then, a small little animal might peak out sometimes; a stag could be seen prancing in the painting. The bed itself was big, about a queen-size with satin sheets and many soft throw pillows of the color blue. There was a large golden chest near his bed where Harry's toys would be once Loki bought them and on one side of the room was a large private library for Harry's use. While many were spell books for a child his age, they were also story books and the history of Asgard as well as those of the Magical World. Some of the books were also on current events as Harry had to know what he was dealing with when he returned to Midgard. There was no doubt in his mind that Harry would go there as it is just as much his home. But whether Loki would even consider sending Harry to Hogwarts was undecided. But so far, it was not looking favourable.

Looking around Harry's new room, Loki smirked and passed the verdict. "Not bad."

The servants nearly collapsed in relief.

Harry seemed to be fascinated by all the things that he never in his wildest dream thought he would have. He had a family, his own room, a library and his very own bed, even though he much preferred sleeping with his mother and dad. Loki smiled as he placed his hands on his son's small shoulders. While disappointed in all of his friends' for failing both him and Harry, he was not about to let his sour mood show around Harry. His need for revenge will be sated later. For now, Harry needed him and he would be there for him this time instead of leaving it to others.

This was a mistake: to shirk his responsibility as a father and leave Harry's fate in others. No more, he would not allow his grief to blind him for what was truly important. From now on, Harry came first, in any and everything. Even his plots, he would think of Harry and how they affected him. He would still help the Wizarding worked but he would not let his budding relationship with his son suffer for it.

Loki hugged him tightly while Harry hugged back just as zealously. 'It will be hard. But I will make sure he is safe.' Loki thought. 'I may have failed him before, but I won't fail him anymore. I'll watch over him from now on.'

Loki didn't know it yet: but Harry, be he wizard or demi-god, was a trouble magnet. But he would learn that soon, very soon.

OoooOoooO

Back on earth, the hibernating Jomungand snorted as he woke up from his nap. He had just remembered one more thing he forgot to mention to his temperamental father.

"I wonder if I should have mentioned to him about how I sensed something off about Harry's scar."

TBC

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."

-Albert Einstein.

Makes me upset to know that everyone was so blind about Harry's abuse. Even someone like Arabella who had seen it first hand and even had Harry in her house did nothing to ease it.

Next chapter will be pure harry and loki bonding! Lots of fluff, but not too much to make you sick.

I know what you're all thinking. No, for once, Dumbledore nor the Ministry had nothing to do with the Will reading not being activated. There is a simple reason to that. So simple, most of you will probably figure it out by the time Remus and Sirius make an appearance, which will be in two more chapters.

Loki will go back to Arabella Figg as she is his only contact to his world. But next time he comes to visit, She'll be able to inform him about the terrible things that had happened to his friends, such as Remus, the Weasleys, the Longbottoms and of course, Sirius.

Oh Jomungand, the altitude on Earth isn't doing much with your memory, especially with winter coming soon. I think Jomungand has had enough screen time (and punishments). Next time will either be Hela or Fenris.

(1)This is not a Sif bashing. Loki and Sif hate each other to a point that if they had their way, they would have finished each other off in Ragnarok. From hair cutting to lips sewn to having her hair black to Loki being banished, Loki and Sif don't like each other. Sigyn is the only person that is associated to Loki that Sif does not hate, and all she feels for her is overwhelming pity.

(2) Its true. Gods can't take gifts away once they are given to mortals. However, they can alter them as a curse. For example, Apollo gave Cassandra the gift of prophecy as a wedding gift when he fell in love with her. She was known for her wisdom and counsel after that. But when Apollo came to claim her and she spurned him, knowing he can't take her gift away; Apollo, angry at the rejection, asked kindly for one kiss before leaving. When he did, he cruelly stated that he had altered the gift. Not only would all her prophecies be dark and frightening, but no one would believe her. Of course, she chose to spurn a god when the Trojan War started (and people claim women are known for their wisdom). Bad luck there! She is also Sybil's ancestor in cannon. Of course, no one believes she has the gift because she is a crack with moments of fluke visions.

(3)As for those confused about fourteen year old James's behaviour, think like this: You're a kid and your parents are involved with fighting a guy that already has a reputation of burning houses, killing women and children and even has giants, Dementors and other monsters on his side. That is pretty scary for a fourteen year old. All we know of James is that he was a prankster with a cruel sense of humour, intelligent, school head boy, and a Quidditch star and was very popular. We know next to nothing about him after that. The truth is; he may have been just like us. Someone who was scared of the war and losing his loved ones to them, especially with a father actively fighting them. So I'm not making James a coward in this fic, he's just scared and confused as well as worried about his family like anyone his age would be.

Of course, if Charlus had asked if James was willing to defend Lily's blood status, James would have answered that he would have fought tooth and nails for her.