Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or settings of Harry Potter or Thor.

A/N: Thank you so, so very much for being patient and wonderful readers. I should have much more time to write and revise now since my boyfriend left for the wond'rous country of Canada (any Canadian readers out there?) for two weeks. Expect chapters~ Plus, is anyone going to C2E2 in April? I will be there in a Loki cosplay! Look out for me! :)

Professors Snape and McGonagall went through the spiraling gate past the gargoyle. Loki was upright and still in midair, forcibly following them. He'd seen the castle and all its magical contents within. From the sleeping portraits and moving staircases, to the great double doors that the two professors mentioned quietly as the Great Hall. The spiraling staircase with a stone gargoyle as gatekeeper was just another element added to his surprise. It was all very wonderfully placed. Being the only male in his sorcery classes, he never actually felt like he wasn't doing what the son of a great king was supposed to do…

But this, this was absolutely wonderful.

The staircase led to a door with a notable griffin door knocker. Snape lightly knocked with one knuckle and the door swung open slightly.

The office was dimly lit, several portraits of past headmasters and headmistresses were still asleep, well assuming that the current one was as well. Books were gently lifting up from his wooden desk and placing themselves back onto the bookshelves for another day. There were several gadgets and ticking things and objects. A giant curtain suggested there was a tall window in the back. And as Loki noticed, a strange red and orange bird was perched to the right of his desk. He would have gotten a closer look at the peculiar bird if he could, but the spell was not ceasing.

Finally, an old man, judging by the long white beard and hair, came out of the shadows and crept through his office to his desk. He gazed up to realize he had company. His bright blue eyes shown from what very little light the candles provided from over his half-mooned spectacles.

"Professor McGonagall . . . Professor Snape," he said, in a hoarse voice, and finally catching a glimpse of Loki behind them. "For what do I owe the pleasure?"

Both McGonagall and Snape exchanged glances before the headmaster continued.

"Ah, I believe, this is our guest from Hogsmeade?" he added, calmly. "Petrified."

Snape stepped forward. "Yes, he tried to break into the castle. He snuck past me and Dolores just as we went to investigate. He claimed to be the brother of a shopkeeper."

"Very clever, that one," he said, picking up a few papers, shoving them in a drawer and sat down behind his desk. "If you will, Professors, I will see to him at the present time, that is if it is not too late." He picked up an old pocket watch from his desk, peered through his small glasses and nodded.

"Headmaster," Snape argued, stepping forward, "He may be dangerous."

"I am aware of my actions, Severus," he said, "I will call you both in if I'm in dire need to do so. Thank you for your concern."

"We will wait outside, Albus." McGonagall swiftly turned, taking one last look at Loki, uncomfortably.

Snape hesitantly turned on his heel and followed McGonagall outside of the door.

Albus Dumbledore flicked his wand toward his guest.

A light whistle and Loki was finally touching ground. He fell to his knees, moving his limbs, his arms, his legs and blinking his eyes finally. He was confused as to why he felt so weak, for never before had he. His muscles felt sore and exhausted, and it frustrated him. Weakness was never compliant.

Loki slowly stood and gazed up at the old man. He took a step forward, but realized it was a lost cause and succumbed to the slight ache.

"That pain will subside momentarily," Dumbledore said, getting to his feet just as Loki stood. "It's a nuisance, I understand."

There was a pause. The only sound was manifested from the portraits, soft snores and little mutterings.

"Please, sit," he advised, gesturing to the seat in front of him.

Loki did not move. He stood, almost cautiously in his position. And he had the right to be cautious. The villagers, the children he met earlier, none of which posed a threat until he met the professors. He was not afraid of them, however, but much more aware of their power, much more aware of his power against theirs, easily matched, if and when he had the chance. Loki watched the man, not menacingly, but curiously. He did not want to pose a threat of his own just yet.

Dumbledore sat down at his desk and put his wand back in the drawer, surrendering. With that, the headmaster gave a friendly grin and interlaced his fingers in front of him. "My name is Albus Dumbledore. As you may know, I am headmaster here at Hogwarts and everything that happens here is notified directly to me. When you fell out of the sky, I wasn't only quickly notified, but told to stay alert by my loyal portraits.

"I am aware you did not apparate onto our grounds. However, I do not remain alert nor am I threatened by your stay here. I am also aware you are not a brother of a shopkeeper, but someone who dropped into our village. You are not from here, from our world which is why I am so quick to trust that you do not mean harm upon the school or as of yet, if so. So, someone, what is your name?"

Loki listened, closely. He didn't know if it was infuriating or surprising how calm the man was compared to everyone he had met today.

"I am Loki," he whispered. "of Asgard."

"And, Asgard is where you fell from, correct?"

He did not respond.

"Where is Asgard?"

Nothing.

Dumbledore nodded. "Well, Loki. I am afraid that you cannot stay upon the grounds of the school. You may, however, stay in the village of Hogsmeade until things are sorted and put into the proper place."

"I do not wish my return to Asgard," Loki said. "I am . . . in exile."

"Loki, the God of Mischief?" said a squeaky male voice from one of the portraits. "Albus, do you think it wise to have him stay?"

The two both turned to see an old headmaster with a large hat with white hair that jetted from all corners of it. His nose was abnormally large and a very thin line for a mouth. Loki turned back to Dumbledore.

"Ah, yes. I knew the name had a familiar ring to it," Dumbledore said.

"I do not relieve myself of that title. I am a God, but no less need sustenance," Loki added. "I fear that my time here will weaken me."

Dumbledore stood once more and moved around his desk. "You possess magical power, if I can recall, which is why you can see the castle and the grounds. However, you may only stay on my accord and only if I wish it. If anything else suggests that you cannot stay, you will be banned. Understood?"

Loki swallowed. As much as he craved power over Midgard, there was something peculiar about the old man that wanted him to gain his trust. The school was magnificent and intriguing and he wanted to experience it first hand. For whatever he learned in his sorcery classes, he would surely understand everything better here. Now, if only he could get his hands on what everybody here acquired: a wand.

A/N: No, Loki. You may not have a wand. You have your magic fingers to do that.