Ch2 - A school fit for a king

Mobius and Loki followed the mysterious professor through the orange, rectangular portal of the TemPad only to find themselves in a very eccentric, elaborate room. It looked like a private office, only it was enormous. It had a high ceiling, bookshelves upon bookshelves of books, several portraits that moved trimmed in gold, spherical trinkets and trophies and odd shiny objects, glass bottles and flasks, and a large, elegant, fiery red bird sitting on a perch next to the dark, oak desk. Light beamed in through an enormous window while a large pendulum swung back and forth just outside it. The strangest thing in the room, however, was a wide pedestal in the corner of the room with a shallow dish. Loki almost thought it was a glorified birdbath.

"Wow … " breathed Mobius still gazing around the room. Albus smiled delightfully as they took in the room.

"Sure beats the hell out Renslayer's office," Loki quietly teased him.

"This beats the hell out of anyone's office," he whispered back.

"Enjoying ourselves are we?" chuckled Dumbledore, giving his bird a gentle stroke on its cheek. The magnificent fowl cooed. They turned around giving him their full attention.

"What is this place?" asked Loki.

"This … is Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry … and I, am its headmaster," said Dumbledore proudly. Loki blinked hard twice.

"Hang on … what did you just say?" he said a bit too excited. Dumbledore's smile broadened and his eyes practically twinkled. Mobius snickered hard.

"Oh god .. This place is perfect for you," he muttered to Loki under his breath. The headmaster stepped away from his red bird getting to the brass and tax.

"Now then, there are a few conditions should you choose to aid us," he began, but Loki was to astounded to really listen. "I would like you to act as an assistant to our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, while you look for your variant. The students are unaware of the details and I think it wise that it remain that way," said Dumbledore firmly. Loki's jaw fell lower. Mobius noticed and just laughed to himself.

"Do not let the students know why you are here, find your variant, and return them from whence they came. Fail to do so or cause any unnecessary trouble and I will personal send you straight back to the TVA. Understand?" he continued noticing that the trickster's face was still frozen in shock.

"Loki?" asked Mobius when he didn't answer.

"This … this is a trick … right? There's a catch?" he demanded highly skeptical.

"I believe I just listed all the catches," he said kindly.

"And, I'll have my magic back … is no one concerned about that?" he probed. The headmaster leaned forward with a gentle smile, peering over his half moon glasses.

"You're not the only one who can perform magic here, Mr. Laufeyson" added Dumbledore in a whisper. With a wink, a cabinet behind them caught fire. Green flames roared. Mobius and Loki jumped back together in fear. With a simple wave, the headmaster made the flames die out and the cabinet unharmed. Mobius and Loki didn't even realize they were holding on to each other from the jump scare. They let go awkwardly.

"Agent Mobius," announced the headmaster.

"Yes …"

"While I have no problem with your company at this school, there are others who might," said Dumbledore sadly.

"What's that suppose to mean?" sneered Loki offended for him.

"Unfortunately, there are some people here who discriminate against people who can not perform magic. I fear if you stay, your safety will be more at risk," he said honestly.

"What? That's ridiculous!" said Loki. The TVA agent could help but be slightly happy that the mischievous scamp was angry for him.

"Loki …" he said calmly.

"Those people wouldn't be saying any of that if they took one step in the TVA!"

"Loki! It's ok … it's alright," said Mobius calming him down. He reached in his pocket and flashed his TemPad.

"I can watch from afar, remember? You do what you have to do here. And I'll do what I have to do there. Sound fair?" he said to both of them. Dumbledore gave a respectful nod. Loki sighed not wanting to comprise. He trusted Mobius, but not this supposed, grand wizard. "Besides, someone has to watch for any branching in the timeline," he said giving Loki a pat on the shoulder. Mobius loaded up his portal behind him. "I'll be in touch," he said warmly and stepped through the portal. It disappeared, and his one and only friend was gone, leaving him alone with no way of returning to him except for a prayer that he would come back.