Draco wasn't exactly surprised when he came through the floo and first heard the distinctive pop of apparition before noting the wide happy eyes of his personal house elf, Nobby. He quickly moved out of the hearth, barely taking in Nobby's exclaim of excitement, when Thor meandered through said hearth, dwarfing it considerably.

"Master Draco has returned!"

"Nobby."

Thor however, was scowling at the ash on his clothes, so Draco politely asked his elf to set their guest to rights; then proceeded to introduce Nobby to the God of Thunder.

The Prince of Asgard eyed the creature with veiled confused horror, as if he couldn't quite believe what it was he was seeing. When Nobby popped out of the room to fetch Draco's mother, Thor turned to the wizard and demanded harshly, "What was that creature?"

"House elf."

Thor's eyebrows lifted in sudden understanding, which let Draco know, that Hermione had likely shared with her brothers her feelings on house elves.

Or more likely, her general abhorrence of what she considered indentured slavery.

Once upon a time he'd scoffed at her penchant for what he'd considered lost causes but now that he had a bit more context, he finally understood why Hermione detested the idea of house elves in general. It made his stomach swoop with uneasy regret.

Suddenly hearing a set of footsteps coming, Draco turned and smiled when he saw his mother entering the receiving room. She stopped in surprise when she took notice of their guest.

Never had Draco seen his mother at a loss, yet she just stared at the six-foot-four hulking God of Thunder with an expression of wonder.

"Mother?"

Narcissa's gaze shifted uneasily to her son. "I'm so happy to see you've returned home, Draco."

He went over and reached for his mother's hand, placing it through his arm. The look of warning he gave her was brief, but he was gratified to note she understood it clearly. The slight tilt of her head signaled they would be discussing this unexpected arrival at a more appropriate time.

"Mother, this is Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard. Prince Thor, this is my mother, Narcissa Malfoy.

Narcissa curtsied effortlessly, "Welcome to our home, Prince Thor."

"I thank you for your welcome, my Lady. I hope we are not intruding at an inopportune time?"

"Not at all. I was just about to sit down for my evening meal. Would you care to join us?"

Draco caught Thor's gaze and nodded briefly, to which Thor replied, "That would be most welcome, my Lady. I will admit to being uninformed about current Midgardian customs. It has been centuries since I have visited this realm, and from what little I have seen thus far, much has changed."

"I can only imagine." Narcissa offered kindly. "Will you be staying with us?"

"If I would not be intruding."

"Not at all." Narcissa was quick to reassure, having played this game many times in her life. She'd had the Dark Lord in her home for two years, and she knew when hosting was pro forma. The illusion of choice aside, it would not do well to antagonize a Prince of the Realm Eternal.

"I will have Draco show you to the guest quarters down from his room. I will make sure to have whatever you need provided accordingly."

Thor bowed his head in gratitude. "You are most kind, my Lady."

Narcissa kissed Draco gently on his left cheek. "I will go see about supper. Please show our guest to his room, yes?"

"Of course, mother."

Draco watched his mother leave and then gestured for Thor to follow him. The God of Thunder was quiet as he did so, eyeing the family portraits warily as they moved from the outer foyer, up the stairs, and down the long eastern hallway.

The murmurings of his ancestors were rather amusing, as word traveled quickly and chatter seemed to be more of the curious kind, than anything else.

When they were almost at Draco's room, Thor finally spoke, "My sister showed me a moving picture of her during her time at your magical school. I however, did not know the pictures could speak as well."

"These are magical portraits of Malfoy ancestors. The essence of the person when they were alive, is transferred to the portrait after death. It is a way we can keep in touch with our family members, as well as retain some of our history."

"Clever." Thor mused, "They all have the same coloring as you do."

Draco hummed. "The Malfoy family is recognizable by several notable characteristics: White blonde hair, silver-gray eyes and pale skin. To each generation a sole heir is born to carry on the name."

"So you have no siblings?"

"No."

"Tis a shame. Even though I prize different endeavors than my siblings, I do not know what I would do if I did not have them in my life."

"Even Loki?" Draco teased.

Thor chuckled deeply. "Loki abhors sentimentality. However, as much as he is capable of feeling connection, he does so for our sister. I do not think I am betraying any confidence in informing you of such. It was quite hard for Loki to be parted from Hermione for so long. It may have only been seven Earth years, but it was close to sixty years on Asgard."

Draco's eyes widened and he mumbled, Salazar, under his breath.

When they reached the guest room, Draco opened the door and gestured for Thor to enter ahead of him. He was gratified to see the room pristine, with candles lit and the fireplace burning.

"Very welcome." Thor nodded, impressed. "You have quite the home."

"It's not a palace." Draco offered, causing Thor to grin.

"No, I don't suppose it tis." Thor walked over to the window and gazed out into the night, his voice taking on an edge that Draco didn't immediately understand. "I do know you have a hard choice ahead of you, Master Draco. I cannot imagine being so young and having faced all you have seen." The God of Thunder turned and his expression was fixed. "Mother believes you not be so far afield, that redemption is not possible."

"But you're not wholly convinced." Draco postulated, however Thor just shook his head.

"I do not get a vote in this. My sister, for all she has suffered, still has a tender heart. She has always believed in fairness, equality, and logic. Knowledge has been the barometer of her life since the time she could pick up a book and read." Draco felt his lips lifting at that truth. "However, as her eldest brother and the future King of Asgard, I must act as my father would have me do in times such as these. I cannot react in an unseemly way, even should I wish it."

"It must be hard for you to be here on this realm and not seek out vengeance on her behalf."

"Yes, but I know she would not wish me to do so. Loki however, is far more cunning than I am and I will even go so far to admit, far more capable of enacting vengeance for us both." Draco swallowed uneasily. "So I will ask of you a favor, Draco Malfoy."

"And that is?"

Thor moved over and stared the young wizard down before answering, "Hermione spent three days sharing with Loki and myself her exploits on this realm. If I know my brother at all, he has already addressed some justified retribution amongst your brethren. However, we both know there were others who served in the castigation of my sister. Likely some who have even managed to escape retribution."

Draco sighed. "You wish me to give you a list of names?"

"Not exactly."

Thor called out for Loki, and the God of Mischief materialized into the room. His smile was predatory, and Draco swallowed uncomfortably, suddenly comprehending the two had planned this beforehand.

"Brother."

"Brother," Thor returned, "I have paved the way."

Loki rubbed his hands together, and Draco couldn't help but feel his stomach dropping at the look of pure malice on the God of Mischief's face.

"Tell me, Lord Black—how is it your kind have managed to keep yourselves hidden from the masses for centuries?"

Draco was taken aback. "I don't understand?"

Loki just chuckled deeply and waved his hand, causing Draco to hiss out a stunned breath when the visage of the Malfoy blood wards were staring him in the face.

"How?"

"I am familiar with warding," Loki admitted easily, "and as such, these are complex, almost sentient, but not quite. However, I want to know how the magic of this realm has stayed hidden, not only from the mundane world, but from our mother's sight."

Draco took a step back in shock. "Is that even possible?"

"Apparently to some degree. She did not foresee what would happen to our sister, and Thor and myself have come to believe there is a reason for this. I have visited this realm before, and during that time, there was not the level of magic practiced as there is today. So I will ask you again, Draco Malfoy. Where would I go to find the answers I seek?"

Draco sat down on the nearest chair, his entire body filled with dread. "Uhm, I would tend to think our Ministry, but even so, there are many departments there."

"And are all ministries set out much in the same regard?" Loki demanded.

"I don't know." Draco admitted shakily. "There are many magical ministries around the globe."

"I see." Loki mused, cupping his chin in his hand thoughtfully, then he turned back to his brother. "I will venture further afield. Something is not right."

"I sensed it too." Thor offered.

Loki nodded. "And the other?"

Thor sighed, but answered, "I haven't inquired." Loki lifted a sarcastic eyebrow, causing Thor to scowl. "We both know you excel at subterfuge, brother. Do not pretend you are not eager to play this game."

Draco looked back and forth between the two Asgardians, confused.

"Fine." Loki then asked Draco, "Where is this Azkaban?"

Draco paled heavily, "The North Sea."

"There are also handful of magicals I am quite desirous to introduce myself to."

"And they would be?"

Loki and Thor exchanged a brief glance, before Loki answered, "Rita Skeeter."

Draco smirked. "She worked for the Daily Prophet as a reporter before and during the war. She may still. I don't know."

"I see." Loki's expression shifted to his more malevolent one as he inquired, "Dolores Umbridge."

The hissed breath couldn't be contained, nor the look of utter disgust on Draco's face. He did however, explain as best he could, "She worked at our Ministry during the war. She was part of the muggleborn registration commission. I don't know much more than that."

"I did get a chance to briefly meet a Kingsley Shacklebolt, whom I've come to understand is the new leader of your magical community."

"Yes, and he was an Auror before that."

"Auror?" Thor asked.

"They are charged with keeping the peace in our community." Draco offered, "And Shacklebolt was a loyal member of the Order of the Phoenix."

"Ah, that is a term we are familiar with." Loki stated, "Perhaps that is the place for me to start."

Thor however, wasn't wholly convinced. "Are you sure, brother?"

"Do you not trust me to know when someone is trying to spread falsehoods to mislead, brother?"

"No." Thor replied petulantly, "I do know how your gifts work."

"Then refrain from asking rhetorical questions, Thor. It does you little credit."

"Now listen here…"

"And besides, I'd think you would know well enough, I am highly motivated in enacting my own plans."

"And yet you have not shared those plans in full."

"Why would I need to, brother?" Loki taunted, "There are some things which can't be bludgeoned through. This is why your friends remain back home. The Norns only know what kinds of havoc the four of them would encourage you to partake in, and I find myself disinclined to save them from their idiocy."

"Why must you be endeavor to remain so hard-hearted?" Thor demanded. "I can well understand your dislike of Lady Sif, but the Warrior's Three have proven themselves to be loyal, brave and true."

"To you." Loki scoffed. "And yet, I did not hear you defending their lack of acumen, brother."

"Are you two always like this?" Draco blurted out before he could stop himself, causing him to cringe when both of Hermione's brothers turned to him with matching expressions laced with surprise.

Well, in Loki's case, the expression the God of Mischief sported was more of how his mother would oft look at him when he was a boy, and had asked something completely inappropriate.

Thor just seemed stunned.

"I'm sorry…" Draco mumbled half-heartedly, "it's just, I've only been around you both a few times, and listening to your banter makes me wonder if you two actually like each other."

Thor's mouth dropped open, while Loki's emerald eyes narrowed.

"Are you chastising us, mortal?"

"Brother, you do not need to be so rude."

"On the contrary, Thor—I've been quite restrained where this young wizard is concerned. Had I been left to my own devices, I might have, perhaps, found some clever way to make my displeasure over this one's treatment of our beloved sister be known. Alas, I have been expressly forbidden from enacting said revenge." Loki's voice dropped menacingly, "However, do not suppose my wings have been clipped, and do not test my patience."

Draco put both hands up quickly. "I wasn't. Honest."

"Hmm." Loki murmured, wholly unconvinced. Thor however, sighed in defeat. "The wizard is correct in what he is asking, brother. Did you forget so quickly, the plea from our sister?"

"Of course I haven't, brother. But she is not here, is she?"

"So you will only seek to keep your barbs measured within her presence?"

"Was I supposed to do otherwise?"

Thor threw up both his hands in exasperation, while Loki smirked back playfully. Draco however, shook his head, feeling completely overwhelmed.

Listening to the sons of Odin banter was almost like getting hit repeatedly with a bludger. If he didn't know any better, Draco had to wonder if this was why Hermione had been able to control Potter and Weasley as well as she had. She'd literally been practicing for hundreds of years!

A fact he commented on.

Which caused Thor to chuckle and Loki to lift a single, condescending eyebrow.

"I am leaving." The God of Mischief and Lies stated matter-of-factly. "If you have need of me, please do not call for me. I'd rather not be bothered."

"Planning on running off to meet whomever it is, who has caught your interest, brother?"

Loki had started to turn to leave, but upon hearing Thor's words, bright green eyes shifted suddenly, and without uttering a single word, Thor found himself frozen in place.

Draco took a quick step back, as Loki sauntered over like a predator towards his brother. The words he spoke were clipped and curt.

"Watch yourself, brother." Loki then grinned wickedly at Draco. "It will be interesting to see if you or your mother can manage to break Thor out of this spell. I will look forward to it."

Loki vanished silently, his deep chuckle reverberating long after he'd gone.

Draco quickly called for Nobby, who popped into the room.

"Nobby? Can you please get mother for me?"

"Of course, Master."

Nobby disapparated and a few moments later, Narcissa knocked on the door.

When Draco let her in, her eyes widened in horror at seeing the state of their guest.

"How?"

"Prince Loki was here. Uhm, Prince Thor might have angered his brother…"

Narcissa waved her wand, casting a finite, but it didn't work. Several spells and fifteen minutes later, Thor was still frozen solid.

Then Draco got an idea.

"Nobby?"

His elf returned, inquiring, "Yous called, Master?"

"Yes, Nobby. Can you unpetrify our guest, please?"

Nobby snapped his fingers and the spell dropped immediately.

The second he was free, Thor flexed his arms and bowed his head to the small creature.

"I thank you."

"Do you require anything else, Master?"

"No, Nobby." Draco answered, "You are free to go."

A split second later a spectral image of Loki appeared, his expression utterly gleeful. "Quite clever. I thought it would have taken you much longer to discover the answer."

Thor growled deeply, his eyes sparking with lightening, as thunder rolled outside and began to shake the manor. "Loki! When I get both of my hands on you…"

"Now, now, brother! You are a guest in Lord Black's home. Do try and behave accordingly. Mother would be most displeased should you, in your anger, rent in twain their modest little abode."

Thor's powers reluctantly pulled back, but Loki's smirk only got smugger. He even winked at his elder brother before his image, vanished.

After Loki was gone, Thor sighed. "Please forgive my outburst. It was not well done of me."

"It is quite alright, Prince Thor." Narcissa offered kindly. "Dinner is ready now, if you would come with me."

Draco offered his arm to his mother and her sweet smile had his heart clenching with anxiety.

He knew he needed to speak with her tomorrow, and he also knew she would have words for him in regards to the choice he needed to make. He wanted to give her a say in this, but he also knew that she wouldn't be happy with either scenario. Then there was the matter of his father. He didn't necessarily feel compelled to share his problem, nor give his father a vote. Lucius Malfoy's only consideration would be Draco's ability to sire an heir. Whether or not love was a part of the equation mattered little when it came to fulfilling his duty to the Malfoy line.

When they reached the dining room, Draco pulled out his mother's chair and she nodded her approval.

Dinner was a quiet affair, with Thor asking a few questions here and there, mostly about the house elves. He seemed quite intrigued by them.

After dessert, Narcissa escorted their guest to his room, while Draco went to his father's study, noting there were quite a bit of unopened correspondence sitting on the desk. When he glanced up, Draco could see his grandfather's portrait, and Abraxas was watching him closely.

"Grandfather."

"Draco." Abraxas paused and then inquired, "You are well?"

The young Malfoy sighed, "Not especially."

"Is it true?"

"What?"

"Your mother shared with me that you were actually on Asgard."

"Ah, yes. It's true." Draco chuckled, seeing his grandfather's eyes widen at first, before they narrowed in disbelief.

"And the mudblood?"

Draco hissed out, "Don't use that word!"

"Don't you speak to me that way, boy!"

Moving over in front of the portrait, Draco warned coldly, "I will speak to you however I wish, old man! You would do well to remember you're only a portrait and if I so choose, I could set fire to you right now!"

Each word elevated in tone, until Draco was practically yelling with rage.

"I am so done with this family's prejudiced shite!" He went on to vent quite vocally. "Hermione Granger was never what I thought she was, and furthermore, her eldest brother is here in our home, as our guest! I'm sure you've heard the name, right grandfather? Thor: the Norse God of Thunder."

"Lies."

Draco's humor shifted to a more dark bearing. "You'd like to think that, but perhaps I might seek to introduce you to Princess Hermione's other brother: Loki Odinson, the God of Mischief and Lies? Trust me when I tell you, if you so much as utter that word in his presence, it will be the last thing you ever do."

Abraxas scoffed, which caused Draco to shake his head with disappointment.

"Did someone call for me?"

Draco's head whipped around, his eyes widening as Loki was now standing in front of him, his deep emerald eyes shining with mirth.

"I…" Draco swallowed uneasily, "I mean…I didn't exactly…"

"Say my name?"

Silvery gray eyes narrowed. "You can hear me?"

Loki sighed, utterly bored. "I can hear anyone who calls my name throughout the nine realms. I simply choose to appear to those whom I wish to." Loki eyed the portrait behind Draco keenly. "Ah, another relation, I presume?"

"My grandfather." Draco answered, then turned around and taunted, "Why don't you relay to our guest here, grandfather, just what you said to me a moment ago? I'm sure if you're quite convinced of your earlier supposition, it shouldn't be too difficult to speak your peace, yes?"

"How dare you! You insolent child!"

Draco just shook his head, this time beyond amused. "Coward."

"And you are any better?!"

"No, but at least the things I did were done for the sole purpose of protecting my mother. Why did you choose to follow the Dark Lord again, grandfather?"

"He was a great wizard!"

"He was a psychopath who didn't give a rats arse about whom he killed, tortured, or maimed. It was never about blood purity with him. Kind of interesting too, since he was only a half-blood. Did you know?" The Malfoy patriarch didn't answer, and Draco didn't need him to. He just turned around and shared with Loki, "My grandfather still feels quite strongly about his beliefs. He deigned to call your sister by that abhorrent name. I might have threatened to burn his portrait down, but something tells me you'll have a more, shall we say, fitting kind of retribution?"

The aura around the God of Lies darkened considerably, and Draco watched awed, as Loki's attire shifted into his formal Asgardian one. The helmet with horns was somewhat comical, but the entire look was rather menacing.

"Tell me, Lord Black? How sentient are these portraits?"

"Do you mean to ask if the portrait can feel pain?"

"Yes."

"No."

Loki smirked and then waved his hand, causing a green shimmer to envelope the portrait in question. He then walked over to Lucius Malfoy's desk and reached for a small letter opener with a sharp point. Another murmured enchantment later, the tip glowed green.

He then handed it to Draco.

"Please do me the honors? Anywhere will do."

Draco's eyes widened in shock, but knowing it wasn't a request, he felt compelled to explain, "As much as I'd like to right now, I'm afraid the blood bonds of my family…"

"Ah, yes." Loki interrrupted with a tinge of disdain. "Designed to protect the patriarchal line at all costs. Patricide is so plebeian, after all."

Loki took the blade and went to stand in front of the portrait.

"Don't you dare!" Abraxas yelled out enraged.

"I do very much dare."

Loki then took the blade and made a small cut across the portraits face. Draco watched in horror as it actually bled, but what he found oddly intriguing was the bloodcurdling screams of pain.

What kind of magic was this?

Loki though, just grinned in that mischievous way of his as he continued on, the final coup de grâce coming some moments later when the Prince of Asgard actually slit the portraits throat, blood spilling down its clothing, arms, hands and feet.

Abraxas Malfoy's head bowed limply forward and then Loki snapped his fingers, immediately bringing the portrait back to life.

Memories of what just occurred clearly intact, because the second Abraxas opened his eyes and saw Loki, he pleaded desperately, "Please forgive me, my Lord. I did not mean to offend!"

"And yet you have and you did." Loki gnashed his teeth in warning. "If I ever hear that offensive word again, I will kill anyone who dares speak of it." He then snapped his fingers and chuckled. "A little gift I shall leave behind for those uninformed, like you." He then turned to Draco. "It tis my understanding your Dark Lord placed a taboo on his name during your war? To track anyone who dared to speak it?"

Draco nodded quickly.

"Well, it might behoove you to share with those of your acquaintance, that any witch or wizard who uses that word, with expressly malevolent intent, will call me to them. And I will not be in a forgiving mood."

Draco just nodded helplessly again, watching as Loki disappeared from sight.

He then screamed for his elf, who summarily summoned his mother. After what occurred was shared, Narcissa demanded that Nobby find the Minister for Magic and bring him to Malfoy Manor immediately.

Morgana only knew, what would happen to anyone should Loki decide to fulfill his threatened promise.