Ok, sorry for leaving you all hanging at the last update. All will hopefully become a little clearer in this chapter.

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Thor drew up a chair beside her, taking her hand in his. "Hermione, I'm so sorry we had to put you through that, I really am. But it was vital that you were absolutely convincing."

Hermione looked at him, dark eyes huge and confused in her pale face. "Thor, what are you saying? Are you telling me that none of that was real?"

Thor's grip on her hand tightened. Even given the spells protecting the room, he kept his voice low. "Hermione, I cannot stress how important it is that we do not underestimate Malekith. He is very powerful and as skilled as Loki when it comes to spotting lies. It is vital that Loki is publicly known as a traitor. Malekith will have had his spies and informers in the crowd this morning, it is the only way that our plan has a chance to succeed - the only way that Loki will be able to get close to him without getting killed. Depend upon it - by the end of the day he will be fully aware of everything that took place this morning. Will be aware that Loki is disgraced, and imprisoned in the dungeons."

Hermione's brain struggled to take it in. "So none of what just happened was actually real?" She was unnaturally calm – frighteningly so.

Thor looked carefully into her eyes. He had expected tears, anger, possibly to be turned into something – unnatural. Not this icy calm. "Hermione, you do understand what I just told you don't you. This was the hardest thing that Loki - that I have ever had to do – hurting you, humiliating you publicly like that, but we could not risk it, not when Loki's life – all our lives are at stake."

His sister in law gazed blankly over his shoulder. "So what happens now?"

Thor took a deep breath, trying to tamp down his conviction that someone would suffer for this at some point in the future – hopefully it would be Loki and not him. He had seen what this woman was capable of and he didn't have magic of his own to protect him.

"In a few minutes, you should go back to your room to lie down and recover. Mother or Jane will undoubtedly offer to come to sit with you, but I am hoping that you will be able to decline their offer. In the meantime, I will gather the rest of our team together and try to piece together what happened in last night's attack. We may be able to come up with something useful. The Convergence takes place at 6.35 tomorrow evening, above Hogwarts Castle – Banner, Selvig, Stark and Jane have confirmed this – it makes sense, as one of the the most powerful magical spots in that realm. Tonight Loki will manage to trick the guards and escape from the dungeon, taking Fletcher with him. They will hide out in the hills around Hogwarts until tomorrow evening."

Hermione's eyes were as flat as her voice. "So Loki is going to try not to get killed by the guards while escaping from the palace, then he's going to stroll up to Malekith and hope that he can get the Aether out of Fletcher without getting himself killed."

She shook her head. "The plan stinks. It's ridiculous, suicidal. I assume this is one of my husband's ideas?"

Thor shrugged. "You were the one who said he had a brilliant tactical brain"

She snorted - irritated. "Yes, and a reckless disregard for his own life when it comes to protecting those he loves. How could you go along with it Thor?"

Her brother in law looked at her bleakly. "Do you have a better idea Hermione, because I certainly don't. No-one else has a chance of getting anywhere close to Malekith."

Thor held out his hand. Within it was a tiny minaturised casket - the one that had held the Aether. "Before this little charade, Loki planted a lure into the casket, a strong light-matter energy, which will be a powerful attractant for dark-matter which makes up the Aether - Loki believes it will be strong enough to prevent it infecting one of us. Once the Aether is out of Fletcher, so long as Malekith can be controlled, it should be possible to contain it"

Hermione's eyes and voice were flat. "I want to see him"

Thor was hoping this wasn't going to come up. "Hermione, this isn't going to be easy, it would be better if..."

"If he is going ahead with this ridiculous plan, I want to see him Thor."

Thor nodded, yielding to the inevitable.. "I'll work something out."

He offered his hand to Hermione, who rose shakily. Leaving the room, still leaning on Thor's arm, she realised that the door of the library was standing open, Sif's voice could be heard all too clearly...

"It is as I said before Harry – don't waste your loyalty. He cannot be trusted – he could NEVER be trusted. He betrays everything that he touches. He is poison, and always has been." Harry and Sif were faced off over the large library table. The others were seated or standing around, looking uncomfortable as Sif's voice rose. Harry's face was like thunder, his fists clenched at his side. "The girl is behaving like a stupid child. I warned her before they married that he would turn on her, and all I got was scorn and ridicule. Now he has what he wanted he's thrown her aside like a cracked shield."

"THAT IS ENOUGH" Hermione's overwrought emotions finally lost control. A pulse uncontrolled magic ripped out of her, knocking Harry, Sif and several others to the floor, scattering papers books and furniture indiscriminately around the room, leaving Hermione reeling and exhausted.

Steve Rogers reached out to haul Harry to his feet. "Lady Sif, with all due respect I expected better from you than this. None of this is the Princess Hermione's fault, she cannot be blamed for being loyal to her husband."

Tony Stark rose from his seat and circled the big library table, taking Hermione's hand, drawing her into the chair he had just vacated. His brown eyes were kind and sympathetic. "Princess Hermione, we weren't introduced last night. I'm Tony Stark, I believe you know my partner Pepper Potts from when we were here for the wedding"

Hermione looked up, smiling faintly. "Yes, I remember Pepper. It's good to meet you Mr Stark." At the wedding and even the previous night, she had struck Tony as being very strong and capable, but shock and exhaustion had left her pale and fragile.

Thor glared down Sif who was still looking daggers at Harry and Hermione. "Lady Sif. Must I remind you of a conversation which we had in this very Library two years ago. I have need of every sword at my command , but I will not suffer your dissent. No matter what her husband's actions, the Lady Hermione is my sister and she and Harry are both under my personal protection. You will behave, or you will leave. Do I make myself absolutely clear?"

Sif bowed stiffly, and followed the rest of the group back into Thor's office. Frigga and Jane both lingered by Hermione. Jane putting a protective arm around her. "Hermione, can I help, you look very pale."

Hermione leaned gratefully into the older woman's shoulder, grateful for the emotional as well as the physical support. "Would you mind walking me back to my room please Jane, I really need to lie down."

"Of course, would you like me to sit with you?"

Hermione smiled faintly. "No, thank you. I still can't..." Hermione bit her lip, and Thor had to admit that her performance was faultless. "... I will be better alone for a while. I have a lot to process." She turned back to her brother in law. "Thank you for your - support - Thor. Let me know if there is anything... I have my powers, I can still help. The Nine Realms must not be made to suffer for my..."

Thor nodded, kissing her hand. "Rest now sister. Be assured that you and Harry have a home in Asgard for as long as you wish. Whatever Loki has done, you will not suffer for his crimes, that I promise. You are family and always will be. Now will you please excuse me." Turning, he returned to the office, ushering Frigga in before him, closing the door softly on the two women.

ooo0ooo

Thor took his seat at the head of the big table, taking a deep breath. "We need to pool what we know of last night's events. The attack began in the dungeons. Harry, of your courtesy, could you invite in the Sergeant that you will find waiting in the anti-room next door. He was one of the first into the dungeon, and may have information for us..."

The man that entered, Tony Stark thought, was another classic Asgardian. As a short dark guy he was beginning to remember how intimidating it was to be constantly surrounded by the tall the blonde and beautiful. Unusually though, this particular Asgardian, appeared to be frankly terrified by the company he was keeping. Thor however, was on familiar ground, and quickly had him seated at the table, putting him at his ease.

"This is Adan, he is a Sergeant of the Guard, serving under Dalan. Adan, we believe that you were among the first reinforcements to arrive at the dungeon. Can you tell us exactly what happened please?"

Adan nodded, his face pale but resolute. "Yes Your Majesty. When the alarm sounded, the Captain sent myself and two dozen men down to the dungeon to lend assistance. When we got down there – well - it was chaos. It began in the farthest cell on the right, where the three prisoners arrested for the brawl in the Throne Room were being held. The ones that came in with the trade delegation. Two of the prisoners in that cell were dead. It was as if a great explosion had taken place within. The third prisoner, a great hulking brute of a creature with a horned face plate had become..." Adan paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts and trying to imagine how to describe what he saw... "He had become a monster Sire, a thing of fire and stone, impossibly strong. He released all of the other prisoners"

Stark and Romanoff nodded in recognition. "The Balrog guy." The Asgardians looked confused, but Harry and Rogers both nodded in understanding.

"It's a creature from Midgardian literature. From 'The Lord of the Rings'". Harry explained "The Balrog is an ancient creature of shadows and flame."

Adan nodded. "That's exactly what we saw – it was like burning rock."

Frigga looked up. "I've been undertaking some additional research on the Dark Elves' culture. The creature you describe is called the Kursed. They start as dark elves, but a ritual makes them into creatures of fire, relentless, almost unstoppable and preternaturally strong. They don't know pain, or feel fear or weariness. They remain in this state until they are destroyed – there is no other fate for them.

The company fell silent for a moment. Then Romanoff spoke up. "I saw this Kursed in the palace, heading up towards the apartments, he met up with what appeared to be their leader, a shorter man, with white braided hair. His face was – scarred or something, black one side, white the other."

"Malekith" said Frigga, horrified at the thought of his being in their home. "He came for Fletcher personally."

Adan nodded. "That's right your majesty. Once the situation in the dungeon was under control, we were sent by the Allfather to guard the weasel – I'm sorry – the Midgardian guest. The Captain secured the Midgardian in the dressing room at the back as it has no windows. They came up the back stairs not long after, I know now that they had gone to the King and Queen's chambers first. After that, it was just in-fighting – I wasn't really aware of what was going on around me until the Man of Iron arrived."

Rogers and Romanoff both smiled, hearing Stark muttering under his breath... "Iron Man, it's Iron Man not Man of Iron. How hard can it be?"

Noting that Thor was looking at him expectantly, Stark took up the story. "I started off in the Throne Room, but when I saw big fiery and freaky heading towards the apartments I decided to check it out. I was heading for your apartments first, but when I heard fighting coming from two floors up I thought I should help out."

Adan looked at him appreciatively. "And I thank you for it friend. The captain was already dead, may he feast with his ancestors, along with seven of my mates, but the Midgardian and I saw the dawn because of you. Our opponents were prepared for our weapons, but not the power of the suit that you wear."

Stark nodded, "They were persistent – I'll give them that, the big balrog guy, he was tough, but those repulsers are enough to stop a charging elephant. I blew him straight off the balcony on the third attempt. The little guy with the fancy hairstyle didn't hang around after that. Why is it that villains have amazing hair." He looked at Thor "...take that Brother of yours – he has great hair..."

"STARK!"

"Sorry Point Break – err Thor. So one of these ships of theirs just appears by the balcony - out of nowhere, and he just steps straight into it, and a few seconds later it disappears again. I'm assuming Smoky got into the ship somewhere else, because he's not here now, I checked. There's no way my heat sensors would miss HIM. It was a very cool getaway though. Whoever this guy is, he has style."

Thor sank back into his seat, eyes far away. "So they attempted to take the Aether and failed. We have less than 24 hours until the Convergence. If Malekith fails, he has to wait another 5000 years until he has another chance. He will try again, either here, or at the focal point.

The Convergence will take place tomorrow evening above Hogwarts castle. We have to be there. Bruce, Eric and Jane will be using their instruments to stabilise the possible damage caused by the event itself. We need to protect them, but there is also the chance that Malekith may make a last ditch attempt to take Fletcher and the Aether from Asgard." For a moment he was silent, pondering the disposition of his forces.

"Mother. I leave you, and Heimdall, in charge of the defence of Asgard, with Lady Sif and the Warriors Three to support you and the guard. I will go to Hogwarts, with Harry, Hermione, the Captain, the Black Widow and the Man of Iron, to protect the scientists, and if the gods will it, to destroy Malekith and reclaim the Aether. Should the need arise, we must not forget that Doctor Banner is more than capable of protecting himself."

Sif looked concerned. "My Lord, is it wise to take Lady Hermione with you under the circumstances?"

Thor nodded, "That is a fair point Lady Sif, but the grounds around Hogwarts are very familiar to her, and to Harry which will give us an advantage. Lady Hermione has already assured me that she will fight beside us against Malekith. Her promise is still worthy in Asgard, despite my... her husband's treachery."

Sif's voice was carefully diplomatic. "And what of her husband My Lord?"

Thor's face was hard. "Loki is to be left to me. No-one else is to touch him. Is that understood.?"

When the others nodded, Thor turned to his wife, who had slipped quietly back in the room. "Jane, can you go back to Stark Tower and retrieve the others. Bring them back to Asgard. Heimdall will watch you, and will pull you straight out at the slightest sign of trouble."

As Jane nodded, Thor turned to the others around the table. "Now. Malekith may attack at any time, so we must be ready, but equally, we have had difficult times recently and need to recoup our energies. Take what rest you may today, because tomorrow we fight."