Lots of time had passed since the library incident between Hermione and Loki. In that time, Hermione and Loki had gotten closer. Every night after dinner, Loki would walk Hermione back to her room and the two would just talk. Hermione felt like she was really getting to know Loki, but she knew that wasn't true. As much as she wanted to believe that she was starting to figure Loki out, she knew that she wasn't even close.

Loki had started to tell her some things about him, but not much. Based on what the mythology book had said, Loki was a very complicated person. Hermione knew that part was correct. He was a very complicated person and definitely wasn't open about everything. It annoyed her how easily Loki could read her, but she couldn't understand him in the slightest. Hermione almost wanted to demand that he tell her everything about him, but she knew that wouldn't work out well.

The month was now December. Snow had already started falling in Asgard. Hermione thought it was beautiful. The entire castle had been decorated to look like a winter wonderland. Hermione couldn't help the smile that was on her face every time she walked through the halls. Christmas had always been her favorite holiday.

It had only been a month since Odin and Frigga announced a Christmas ball. Hermione was excited. The Yule Ball back at Hogwarts had been a dream come true for Hermione... until Ron had ruined it. It had all worked out in the end, clearly. Everyone had been busy getting ready for the ball. Frigga had insisted that Hermione get fitted for a dress for the ball a few weeks before. In the end, Hermione ended up with a beautiful green colored dress. When she saw it, she couldn't believe her eyes. Hermione had fallen in love with dress immediately. She knew the color of the dress had only been chosen because of Loki, but she couldn't deny that the dress truly was beautiful.

Loki had insisted that the dress be green. He wouldn't allow Hermione to wear any other color for this ball, especially since she was going with him. When Loki had asked her to go to the Christmas ball with him, she felt awkward. He had chosen to do so during dinner one night. With Frigga, Odin, and Thor watching, she couldn't say no.

Hermione had been wondering whether or not she should have regretted that decision, but she knew it was too late to turn back now. The ball was on Christmas Eve night, which was only one day away. Hermione had decided to go into the town and by some Christmas presents for some of the people. She had been given some money and was currently walking through the small Asgardian village. She had only one more gift to buy and it was for Loki. The only thing she had really learned about Loki that had caught her attention was that he enjoyed reading. So, she went to a small bookshop in the village and bought a book that she remembered Loki telling her about. He had been wanting it for a long time. Once Hermione returned to the castle, she immediately went to her room and started wrapping the presents.

She had just finished when she heard a knock on the door. She quickly placed the presents underneath the bed and grabbed a book before sitting in a chair and turning to a random page. "Come in," she said as soon as she was settled. The door opened slowly and Loki's head peeked in. "I hope I'm not interrupting your reading, Ms. Granger," Loki said as he noticed the open book in her hands. "Oh, not at all. Did you want something?" Hermione asked.

"I was just wondering if you would like to take a walk with me. The snow has made the garden look quite lovely." Hermione held up the book. "Sorry. Maybe another time?" Loki nodded. "Of course. I understand. I will see you at dinner." Loki walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. Hermione felt bad. She should have accepted, but she couldn't. Hermione put the book down and grabbed the presents out from underneath the bed. Eventually, she got out of her room and headed down to the ballroom where a giant Christmas tree had been placed. All presents were to be placed under the tree.

It was hard for Hermione to carry all these presents since she wasn't very strong physically. She was about halfway there when one of the presents fell from the stack. Before she could react, Thor appeared out of nowhere and caught the present before it could hit the ground. "I believe you dropped this?" He said, standing to his full height. Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Thor." The god chuckled.

"I could help you, you know. You have a lot of presents there." Hermione smiled. "Could you?' Thor nodded, taking some of the presents from her. The two walked down to the ballroom and carefully placed the presents underneath the tree. "Thanks for the help," Hermione said once she placed the last gift under the tree. "It was no problem," he replied. The two smiled at each other.

"What's going on here?" The two turned their heads and saw Loki coming towards them. He looked angry. "Thor was just helping me bring these presents down." Thor nodded his head as he looked at Loki reassuringly. Loki didn't bother to look at Hermione. "Is that all that is happening?" Loki asked. Hermione crossed her arms as she spoke. "Would it matter if it wasn't?" Loki's head turned to look at Hermione who looked just as irritated as he did. "You are my date to the Christmas ball. I simply don't want anyone to change that. You are mine."

Hermione's eyes narrowed at Loki's words. "I don't belong to anyone, especially not you! And now I'm not anyone's date." Hermione stormed out of the room, leaving the two gods alone. "This is all your fault," Loki hissed. "How is this my fault?" Thor asked. "You're the one making a big deal out of nothing. All I did was help her bring the presents here for the ball tomorrow night." Loki sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as his eyes closed. He knew Thor was telling the truth. "I messed up, didn't I?"

Thor nodded. "Yes, but I'm sure she wasn't being serious. You should still go apologize to her though," Thor said. Loki knew Thor was right and went to do just that.

Once he arrived at Hermione's door, he knocked gently. "Ms. Granger, are you in there?" Nothing. "Ms. Granger, please. I'm sorry for what I said. You're right. You don't belong to anyone. I'm sorry."

"I don't want to hear it, Loki. Nothing you say is going to make me change my mind. I'm not going to the ball tomorrow night." Loki raised an eyebrow. "With me?" He asked. "At all," Hermione replied. "Now, go away!" Loki sighed and went to his room.

Hermione didn't go to dinner that night. She didn't want to be anywhere near Loki and she certainly didn't want to see his face. Instead, Hermione decided to spend some time with Faye and Molly. They hadn't told Faye about their conversation from awhile ago. "So, are you excited for the ball tomorrow?" Faye asked. Hermione sighed as he laid back on the bed. "I'm not going."

"What?" The two turned to look at Hermione. "I thought you were going with Prince Loki," Molly said. "I was," Hermione replied. "But Loki and I got into a bit of a fight."

"So, you aren't going at all?" Faye asked. "Even though you got into a fight with him, that shouldn't stop you from going." Hermione's eyes closed. "I just don't want to see him right now." The maids shrugged and went back to their work, leaving awhile later.

'Please, Ms. Granger. I really am sorry for what I said earlier. I overreacted, I know.' Hermione clenched her teeth together. "Get out of my head, Loki."

...

It was now Christmas Eve. The ball was tonight and Hermione was still not going. Loki had stopped trying to get Hermione to forgive him, which Hermione was grateful for.

Later in the day, Thor knocked on Hermione's door. "Ms. Granger, we need to talk about Loki." Hermione sighed and opened the door. "I don't want to talk about him. I don't even want to see him. Tell him there's no point in sending you to try to get me to forgive him." Hermione was about to shut the door when Thor grabbed onto it, keeping the door from closing.

"Loki didn't send me to talk to you. I came here on my own accords." Hermione sighed and let him into her room. "Loki's very upset about yesterday," Thor said, closing the door behind him. "He should be," Hermione replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You know Loki is a bit... unstable. Can you really blame him? He's been forever affected by the truth of his adoption. He's only been in love once, Ms. Granger. And that girl broke his heart. He's very possessive because of that." Hermione looked at the ground as Thor continued. "He also gets jealous very easily. I understand why he's the way he is. Growing up, I always got all the attention. Loki was never the kind of person who made friends easily. He always felt unwanted. You may be the only good thing that's happened to him in a long time."

"I know you may not believe it, Ms. Granger, but Loki really does care about you and he is truly sorry for what he said yesterday. Even if I haven't convinced you to go with him, I still think you should at least attend the ball tonight. It really will be a night you'll never forget."

With that, Thor left the room, leaving Hermione to alone to think about what he had said.

...

The entire castle was decorated with garland, snowflakes, and different colored lights. It really did remind Hermione of the yule ball back at Hogwarts. She stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself in the green dress. She couldn't believe that she was really doing this. Before she could change her mind, Hermione was out the door and down the hall. The decorations really did not reflect her mood, but she tried to put on a smile as she arrived at the ballroom.

She took a deep breath and turned around to go back to her room, but stopped when a light shined down on her. Hermione put a small smile on her face as her name was called. People clapped, and bowed, and curtsied as Hermione stepped fully into the beautifully decorated room. She knew it was too late to turn back now.

Loki's head had turned when Hermione's name was called. He had looked at her in awe. She really did look beautiful in that dress.

Hermione saw Loki slowly approaching her and she wanted to run away, but instead, she stood her ground and waited for Loki to stand by her. "I didn't think you would change your mind, but here you are. You really came," Loki said. "Your brother convinced me to come. You have him to thank for me being here," Hermione replied as she linked their arms.

Loki looked down at their linked arms, a small smile appearing on his thin lips. "I shall do so later on tonight. Until then, may I have this dance?" Loki bowed to her, offering his hand, which Hermione took. The two danced the night away. Hermione, even though she was still mad at him, couldn't deny that Loki looked rather handsome. She also couldn't deny that she was having a good time. At some point, the two had stopped dancing and gone over to the tables in the back of the room where many Asgardian dishes were being served. The two enjoyed their food quietly as the music changed to a slow song.

Loki threw their plates away in the trashcan and offered Hermione his hand again. "You're lucky I was finished with that," Hermione said jokingly as she took his hand again. As the song played, the two stared into each others eyes. Hermione had only now realized just how beautiful Loki's eyes were. She couldn't help but get lost in their hues. As they danced together, the people around them faded and they were alone. Hermione's heart beat against her chest as they stared into each others eyes. "You look lovely tonight, Ms. Granger. Green is a good color on you," Loki said softly. Hermione didn't quite feel like herself, which she didn't mind. The two had gotten physically closer to each other. Hermione could feel Loki's breath on her skin from how close they were. Loki slowly leaned down, their faces barely inches apart. The two were about to connect their lips when the song ended.

The surroundings returned and the two were no longer alone. Hermione felt like she was in a trance for several seconds after the music ended. "Ae you alright?" Loki asked, noticing her state. Hermione nodded. "Yeah, I'm alright." Her eyes shifted to the giant clock in the room. "I should head back to my room and get some sleep," Hermione said. "I'll go with you," Loki replied, about to follow her.

"No," Hermione said. "You stay and enjoy yourself. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight." Loki really wanted to go with her, but decided to let her be. Hermione walked out of the room and down the halls.

Her mind was all over the place. She couldn't get Loki out of her head. What had just happened between them? Hermione wasn't sure. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest and her breath was coming out short.

The halls were silent as she walked back to her room, her dress slightly following behind her. A noise pulled her out of her thoughts and she immediately turned her head. She saw nothing. Hermione had left her wand in her room, thinking she wouldn't need it tonight. Now, she wasn't so sure. She slowly continued walking down the hall, but heard a noise once again. Her heart was racing. Now, she was afraid. As she looked around, she saw something move from the corner of her eye. Her head turned and her eyes widened. A figure stepped out from behind a thing of armor, a smirk on its face.

Hermione examined him as she backed up until her back hit the wall behind her. The creature's skin was a sickly pale of white and its eyes were almost black. The creature's ears were also pointy. Recalling what she had read from the mythology book, she knew what kind of creature was standing before her; it was a dark elf.