Author's Note: Hello, my wonderful readers! This chapter has me a little emotional, I'm not going to lie. If you look at the day that this story was first put out, then you'll see that I have been working on this story for over two years. I know that the story started off with short chapters, but you guys have probably realized that my chapters have gotten longer over time. As you may know, writing the start of a story is never easy. I, myself, struggle with writing the first chapter of a story, or maybe the first few chapters. Anyway, I've always struggled the most with finishing stories once I've started them. I've gotten a lot better at it lately, and I'm so happy that I'm able to complete this story. I've worked so hard on it, and I appreciate everyone who has taken time out of their day to read this. Thank you so much for sticking with me if you've been with me since the beginning of this, and I hope you all enjoy the final chapter of The God & The Witch.
Hermione had stayed up late into the night, her face stained with the tears that had fallen. She stared blankly down at the blanket on the bed. Loki was gone. Hermione had lost him forever. He had promised that he would return to her, and now he never would. It was too much for Hermione to think about, but she couldn't find anything to take her mind off of him. She had already lost Harry, and now she had lost the person she loved. Hermione felt like the whole world was collapsing on her. Hermione began to think about her entire time in Asgard. That day when she was wandering the halls and Loki spoke to her for the first time through her mind, when he gave her that nickname. Wandering child, he had called her. Hermione began to wonder when Loki had stopped calling her that. Every time she thought about him calling her that, she could hear his voice. She wished so much that she could hear it again.
Hermione thought about how Loki had protected her from Nolan, and then from the Dark Elves during the attack. He had saved her life more than once in the times when she found herself defenseless. She couldn't have just punched her way out of those situations either, seeing as those creatures and Nolan had been a lot stronger than Draco Malfoy. Thinking about when she had punched Draco back in her third year put a smile on Hermione's face, but as she continued to think about all that had happened while she had been here, Hermione's smile faded. She stood up and walked over to the window, staring out at the scenery before her. Her mind wandered to when it had been revealed that Frigga and Loki both thought that Hermione would be able to change Loki, and when she thought that the two were crazy for thinking that would happen. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about how right they had been. She had definitely changed Loki, and even though it had taken a while for Odin to realize, Hermione was sure the Alfather was aware of it now.
Hermione thought of how jealous Loki had gotten when Thor was helping her put presents under the giant Christmas tree. She remembered getting so mad at him, and never thinking that it was because he was so protective of her and liked her. Looking back at it, she wasn't even sure why she had gotten so mad.
Hermione sneaked out of her room and to Loki's room next door. She quietly opened the door and walked in, closing it behind her. She looked down at the floor, remembering when she had comforted Loki in this very room after Frigga's death. She held him close, hugged him tightly. She had stayed with him the whole night, just being there for him while he grieved. It was perhaps the first time she had ever seen Loki so vulnerable since she had arrived. It had been a special bonding moment for them.
In fact, it may have even been the moment she realized that Loki wasn't as evil as people believed.
...
Hermione had made her decision late into the night, and the first thing she did in the morning was find Luna. The blonde was in the garden when Hermione approached her. "Luna," Hermione called as she made her way towards the girl. Luna turned at the sound of Hermione's voice, a small and sad smile on her face.
"Hermione, I'm so sorry. I heard about Loki. How are you feeling?" Luna asked, putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder. Hermione liked how Luna was always concerned about her friends and made sure that they were okay when something happened. Hermione assured her that she was okay, and pulled her aside, sitting down on one of the outdoor benches.
"I heard that you were going back to Hogwarts this afternoon," Hermione said. "I'd like to go back with you. I've made my decision about staying here, and I think it's time for me to go home." Hermione's voice was steady. She had loved being in Asgard, but there was nothing for her here now that Loki was dead. He was the only reason she had stayed in the first place, and now there was no point in staying at all.
"You want to go back? Why? Why now?" Luna quesioned, part of her already knowing why Hermione wanted to return to Asgard.
Hermione took a deep breath before speaking again. "There's nothing here for me now. Loki's dead, Luna. He was the only reason I ever wanted to stay in Asgard, but now there's no point in staying. Besides, there's so many things I want to do back home... there's so many things I need to do. The war is over. I need to find my parents and give them back their memory. And I miss Ginny. Ron and Neville, too. It's time, Luna."
Luna nodded her head. "I'm glad that you're coming home, Hermione. You should let Odin know of your decision before you go," Luna said.
Hermione nodded in agreement. "Yeah. I'm going to do that right now. I'll see you later, Luna." Hermione stood up and walked away to find Odin.
She found Odin in the throne room, staring out one of the large windows. One of the guards came in and announced Hermione's arrival. The Alfather turned as Hermione approached him. "Ms. Granger, I wasn't expecting you. What can I do for you?" He asked, clasping his hands behind his back. He could see that Hermione had something to tell him, and he let her know that he could tell she had something important she needed to tell him. "There is something you wish to tell me, I know. Speak now, Ms. Granger."
"I have decided to return home with my friend Luna," Hermione said in a hushed tone. Odin rose an eyebrow at Hermione.
"Speak louder, my child. I did not hear you."
Hermione took a deep breath. "I've going home," Hermione replied, her voice loud and clear. "I've made my decision. I cannot stay here in Asgard any longer."
"Why is that?" Odin asked, taking a step towards her. "Why do you wish to leave Asgard, Ms. Granger?"
"Surely, you know of Loki's death," Hermione said.
"I do."
"Loki was the only thing, or only one, keeping me in Asgard. Now that he's gone, there's no reason for me to stay. I loved him more than I ever thought I could love someone, and I have lost him forever. Being here in Asgard, there are just so many memories of the two of us together. I cannot bear to stay here and remember these things, lest my heart break even more than it already has. Please, Alfather. Surely, you understand why I must leave." Hermione hoped he could understand that she couldn't bear to stay here any longer. Looking into his eyes, she knew that he did.
"I suppose there is nothing I can say or do to convince you to stay," Odin said. "I, much to my dismay, do not possess the power to turn back time or bring back the dead." She walked passed Hermione and took a seat on the throne. "I may have never considered Loki to be my son, but I could tell that you were changing him right from the start. Loki, despite the things he did, slowly grew to regret his past decisions. I saw it in every moment that I saw you two together. I know that he loved you, and cared about you more than I care to admit. You really did change him for the better."
Hermione was silent as she listened to Odin. She could feel tears pooling up in her eyes, but she held them back.
"If you wish to return back to your home alongside your friend, I will not stop you," Odin said. "But know this, Ms. Granger. You will always be welcome in Asgard... and you will be missed."
Hermione nodded before turning and walking out of the throne room.
...
Later that day, Thor escorted Luna and Hermione down to the bifrost where they would be sent back to Hogwarts. Thor and Luna said their goodbyes before going their separate ways. Luna waited for Hermione, who was now speaking to Thor.
"I admire you, Hermione," Thor said with a smile. "You managed to do something that I was beginning to think was impossible. You changed Loki. I am deeply sorry that Loki couldn't keep his promise. I know that he fought in your name against Malekith and the Dark Elves. You know that, too, right?"
Hermione nodded. "I do. I'm sorry for your loss as well. He may have been my lover, but he was your brother above anything else. You two grew up together. My pain for him could never be greater than yours. Something you should know is that Loki changed me, too. He changed me just as much as I changed him, I think. In many ways, I feel stronger because of him... and I know that he still loves me, even though he's no longer with us. I will never forget him, nor will I forget you, or Frigga. Above all, I will never forget about Asgard, and all of the incredible things that have happened to me since I arrived. I have all of you to thank for changing my life."
Hermione and Thor embraced, letting go of each other after a moment. Hermione turned and walked over to Luna. She looked back at Thor, a small smile on his face. In an instant, Hermione and Luna entered the bifrost and were gone.
...
Thor walked into the throne room a while later. "Is it done, then?" Odin asked once Thor was standing before him.
"Yes, father. Hermione and Luna have both returned to their home safely," Thor assured. "You should know that Loki fought hard against Malekith. He died, not only for Hermione, but for all of Asgard as well. He died valiantly, a true hero's death."
Odin put his hand up to silence Thor. "I understand, my son. I realize that Loki died a different man than he was before Ms. Granger arrived in Asgard. His life will be celebrated, I assure you son. All of Asgard shall know of Loki's good deeds."
"Father, there is something else I wish to tell you," Thor said.
"Speak now, my son. Tell me what you wish to tell." Odin said, leaning forward in the throne.
"I wish to return to Midgard. I wish to be with Jane. I'd like your blessing to stay in Midgard with her," Thor said.
"Stay in Midgard?" Odin asked. Thor nodded. "I suppose that if that is what you truly want, but what of the throne? You are the rightful heir to the throne."
"Asgard deserves a great king, and that is something I don't think I could ever be. Loki deserved the throne far more than I ever did," Thor said, shaking his head. Thor stuck Mjölnir out in front of him. "Consider this as my bargain for letting me return to Midgard."
Odin put his hand up once more, shaking his head. "It belongs to you," he said.
Thor looked up at Odin, a grateful smile on his face. "Thank you, father." Thor turned and walked down the to the entrance of the castle, his cape flowing behind him as he made his way to the bifrost.
Back on the throne, a shimmering green light appeared around Odin. Odin's white hair turned to black, and his elder features dissolved into the features of the trickster god himself. Loki sat on the throne, a mischievous look on his face. The god smiled as he watched Thor walk out of the room.
"No. Thank you."
The End
Author's Note: Thank you all so much for reading my fanfic. I hope you all enjoyed it. If you saw chapter 22 before I edited it, you'll know that I said there would be some alternate endings coming. I have decided against this. I want you guys to have your own ideas about what could have happened if the ending had been different. I don't want to write out different scenarios and leave you guys to not imagine different endings for yourselves. With that said, I hope you liked The God & The Witch. I look forward to finding out how you feel about the ending. Thank you so much! :)