Hermione stood there, frozen in fear as she stared at the creature coming towards her. With her back pressed against the wall, she was at the mercy of the elf. She really needed to get it through her head just how dangerous Asgard was. The elf had a dangerous glint in his eyes, causing Hermione to shudder in fear. "What do you want?" Hermione asked, trying to find the courage she needed to get out of this situation.
The elf chuckled, its steps ceasing for a moment to answer Hermione's question. "What we want is something you cannot give us. What we want is our power back, our treasure. We want what was taken from us." Hermione swallowed as the elf began to move towards her again. "Why are you here?" Hermione's hands clenched into fists, preparing to fight the only way she could without her wand. She hadn't punched anyone since third year when Malfoy was being the annoying brat he was. He had deserved it, of course.
"We've come to take back what is ours and what is ours... is here on Asgard." Hermione chose that moment to take a swing at the elf. She punched him hard in the face, causing the elf to stumble backwards. It took only a few seconds for the elf to straighten himself. When he adjusted himself, he used his magic to conjure a weapon. He took several swings at Hermione, missing each time as Hermione had moved away from the wall. The fight between them lasted for only a few minutes before Hermione was forced to the ground. The elf stood above her, a wild look on his face as he held the weapon tightly in his hands, the sharp end just near her throat. He raised the weapon up, preparing to end Hermione's life. The elf cried out as a dagger went through his body. The weapon was dropped right in front of Hermione.
Hermione watched as the elf fell on its side, trembling as the blood poured out of its body. Hermione turned to look at her rescuer. Loki. He helped her up onto her feet, but didn't let go of her. Instead, he pulled her close to his body and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "This is the second time I have saved your life, Ms. Granger. I do hope there won't be a third." Hermione bit her lip, eyes looking down at the ground. "I'll keep that in mind," Hermione said, keeping her voice steady. Loki didn't pull away. When Hermione tried to walk away, Loki pulled her back to him and hugged her tightly. "Please, don't let there be a third time."
He sounded desperate, like he was begging there to not be a third time. There was an explosion, followed by a large group of Dark Elves. Loki and Hermione turned their heads, watching as the elves passed. Loki turned to Hermione. "Go back to your room and lock the door tightly. Do not let anyone in," Loki said.
"I'm coming with you," Hermione replied. She started to follow him, but Loki turned to face her. "No. You could get hurt. Do as I say and go back to your room." Loki ran down the hall, conjuring more daggers in his hands. Hermione bit her lip, but went back to her room anyway. When she got there, she quickly changed into a pair of jeans, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt before grabbing her wand and running out the door. She made sure to put the protection spell on the door before she went down the halls to fight.
Hermione ran down the halls, casting spells at every elf she passed. Eventually, she got to where the others were fighting the large group of elves. Odin, Thor, Loki, the warriors three, and Sif were all there. Hermione joined them, wand tightly in her hands. "I thought I told you to stay in your room," Loki said as she stood next to him. "I wanted to help," Hermione said.
She looked around before looking at the others. "Where's Frigga?" Hermione asked. Thor threw his hammer, knocking down some of the elves coming towards them. "She's with Jane," the god replied. Hermione had met Jane earlier during the Christmas ball. All she had really learned about the girl was that she was a scientist and was in a complicated relationship with Thor.
After awhile, the elves had been taken out. Everyone was tired and many people had been killed. "Let's go," Thor said. The group followed Thor to where Frigga and Jane were, but when they got there, it was too late. Hermione cried out as she looked down at Frigga's body. Her neck had been snapped, there was no doubt about it. Loki held Hermione as she cried. "Shhh. Shhh." Loki couldn't help the tear that fell from his eyes as he looked at his mother's body. She was the only one that had ever truly cared about him out of the two of his parents. Now, she was gone.
Jane ran over to Thor. He hugged her tightly. "Thor. I am so sorry," she said, seeing the tears begin to form in her lover's eyes. Thor looked down at Jane. "It's alright," he replied. "It's not your fault." That seemed to set something off in Loki as he had let go of Hermione, a look of anger on his face. "Oh, but it is her fault." He was practically yelling. "If you hadn't brought her here, our mother would still be alive! It is entirely her fault. The Dark Elves came her for her, Thor. She's the one they want. If it wasn't for this pathetic mortal, mother wouldn't be dead!"
Loki's nostrils were flaring. Thor stood in front of Jane protectively in case Loki tried to hurt her. "Loki, don't do anything you'll regret," Thor warned. Hermione wasn't paying attention to what was going on. She thought she would be used to everyone dying by now, but she wasn't. She had only known Frigga for a few months, but the two had become close. Thor looked down at Hermione before looking up at a still angry Loki. "Brother, I think you may want to take care of the girl," he said, gesturing to Hermione. Loki's head turned and his expression changed as his eyes landed on the crying witch. He leaned down and held her close, saying soothing words as he rubbed her arm. "Let's get you out of here," Loki whispered before helping her up.
The two walked out and down to Hermione's room. Even after Hermione was inside, Loki didn't leave. "May I stay with you?" Hermione couldn't say no, not because she was crying and couldn't find her voice, but because she knew how hurt Loki was. Hermione laid on her bed while Loki sat down in the chair. The two stayed quiet, thinking to themselves. After a long while of silence, Loki spoke up. "I'm sorry about what I said about Jane. I know you don't like that kind of stuff."
Hermione looked over at him. "Honestly, I wasn't even paying attention... but I understand if you said anything horrible. You're just as upset about losing Frigga as I am. She was your mother."
"I still believe it's Jane's fault that she is dead. She has what the elves want. She's the one harnessing the power that the elves claim belongs to them." Hermione sat up. "She's human, isn't she. How could she harness a power as strong as that?" Loki's eyes shifted to her. "You know of the strength of that power?" He asked, eyebrow raised. Hermione shrugged. "I have a pretty good idea of how strong it is. If it wasn't strong, why would those creatures care about it so much?"
Loki looked down at the floor. The conversation ended there. That night, Loki ended up staying in Hermione's room.
...
"What I don't understand is how the Dark Elves got in. I had the castle heavily guarded last night because of the ball." Odin was pacing back and forth, standing before his sons and several others. "Loki, I've had enough of your tricks. You've gone too far. Not only have you caused the destruction of this kingdom, but the death of many citizens, including your mother!" Odin was furious.
Loki's fists clenched. "Do you really believe that this was my doing? I've done many things, father, but this attack was not placed by me. I have no connections with the elves, no deals made, nothing. I understand why you would believe me the culprit, but I was not the one who caused this." Odin didn't look like he believed Loki. "Do you really expect me to believe that you had nothing to do with this? Not only are you the god of mischief, but you are also the god of lies."
"Loki couldn't have done this," Hermione spoke up. Heads turned towards her, even Loki's. "Oh? And why not?" Odin asked, crossing his arms.
"After everything that's happened since I got here, there's no way Loki could have done this. He's changed and you know it." Hermione looked at Loki, a smirk on his face. He seemed amused by the fact that she was defending him. Odin looked between the two and sighed. "Very well. Until the culprit of this attack is caught, we must all be on our guard."
After everyone was dismissed, Odin walked up to Hermione. "I do hope you're right about Loki, Ms. Granger." Hermione looked into Odin's eye, her voice steady. "You know that I am. You know that Loki is a changed man. I can see that you do." Odin sighed. "For both of our sake's, I hope we are seeing correctly. Loki has always been good at deceiving people. I wouldn't be surprised if he was doing the same to you."
"Trust me, I would know if he was," Hermione said calmly. Odin nodded his head before walking away. Hermione watched him walk out of the room before doing the same.
Hermione had only taken a few steps before she was grabbed and pushed gently against the wall. Her eyes stared into Loki's as he slowly released his hold on her. "What?" Hermione asked once Loki let go of her. "You defended me in there. Why?" His voice was soft and gentle. He wasn't angry. "Because I know you're innocent. I know the attack wasn't your fault."
"How do you know it wasn't my doing? You heard what Odin said. I'm the god of lies, I always have been." Hermione could see that Loki was upset by those words. "Don't think about it, Loki. Don't think about what he said. You may be the god of lies, but I can see through every lie you tell. You didn't cause this. Frigga's death was not your fault."
Loki sighed, his eyes staring at the golden floors of the castle. Hermione bit her lip as she looked at the god. "Thank you," Hermione whispered. Loki's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "For what?" His eyes were staring into hers again, searching them, trying to figure out what Hermione was going to say. "For last night. For saving me from the elf and for trying to calm me down after... you know." Loki nodded, knowing exactly what Hermione was talking about. "Of course. Well, I couldn't just let you die, which is exactly what would have happened had I not come to your rescue."
Hermione nodded. "Are you okay though?" Hermione's voice had a tone of concern in it. "Of course. There's no need to worry about me, Ms. Granger. I'll be alright." There was a small smile on Loki's face, but it was hardly there. Loki nodded before he headed off down the hall. "Hermione." Loki stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at her. "What?" Loki asked.
Hermione looked at him, still leaning against the wall. "You can call me Hermione." Loki nodded, not saying anything. He continued walking down the hall, leaving Hermione alone as usual.