Zero Consequences

Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed the Trickster closely. Hermione felt torn, she wanted no part in breaking rules, but she didn't want Buckbeak, Hagrid's hippogriff, to die either. Yet, she couldn't understand how this teacher thought he could scare Malfoy, release the majestic creature, AND get away with ZERO consequences. What perplexed her more, was the bright word on the back of his jacket, what it meant and why it was so prominent. It made it easy for her to follow him. Loki snuck around the pumpkins while Harry and Ron lagged behind.

"This is mad," muttered Ron. They had been through worse, thought Harry. The Minister of Magic, the headmaster, and the executioner entered Hagrid's hut.

"Mr. Laufeyson!" Hermione whispered-called, but he pressed onward.

"Mr. Laufeyson!" She tried again. Buckbeak raised his regal head cooing in the pumpkin patch chained to a post. He looked bigger and more powerful up close. Loki was in awe of the animal's sharp beak and patterned feathers. Ron and Harry finally caught up to them.

"Sir!" called Harry. Loki whipped his head around, swishing his black hair out of his face. Harry bent his body over respectfully and pointed to the hippogriff, gesturing for him to bow. The Trickster squinted his eyes in disbelief.

"You have got to be joking … " he whispered arrogantly. Hermione and Ron vigorously nodded. Buckbeak blinked his third transparent eyelid focusing on Loki as he used his front taloned feet to push himself up. Loki sighed as he saw the creature was clearly taller and bigger than he was. He kept both arms opened, fingers sprawled to show he meant no harm and bowed slowly while keeping his green eyes on the beastie. The trio kept watchful eyes on the hut while hiding behind one of Hagrid's giant pumpkins. Buckbeak cooed and lowered his large eagle head while tucking in one clawed leg gracefully. Loki made a slight audible gasp at the creature's intelligence. Slowly he inched towards the half horsed beast.

"Let's get this over with, please." said a voice coming from Hagrid's hut.

"Harry …" squeaked Ron, crouching lower behind the pumpkin. Loki's emerald eyes darted to hut as he carefully placed a hand on Buckbeak's soft, feathered neck, tracing his hand down to the chain.

"All right." said Dumbledore, stepping out from Hagrid's home.

"Come on," whispered Harry. Loki's heart pounded at the thought of getting caught. A flash of green and gold from his hand transformed the chain into a harness and saddle for the hippogriff, disconnecting Buckbeak from the post. Hermione gasped. Ron looked dumbfounded. The Trickster pulled himself up onto the creature and trotted forward into the trees. The Minister of Magic and Hagrid followed Dumbledore outside.

"Move!" commanded Hermione and they scampered off into the woods. The Minister of magic looked around frantically.

"But where is it? I saw the beast, just now. Not a moment ago!" said Corenlious Fudge, the Minister of Magic.

"How extraordinary." remarked Dumbledore.

"Buckbeak." whispered Hagrid, scanning the area.

"Come now, Dumbledore. Someone's obviously released him. Hagrid?" said Corenlious.

"Buckbeak," whispered Hagrid again, searching the pumpkin patch.

"Don't think the Minister's suggesting you had anything to do with this. How could you? You've been with us all the time," they could hear Dumbledore say the further they got away. They used the outskirts of the forest to shield themselves from sight as they approached the lake. A playful grin tugged at the corners of Loki's mouth and he lost himself to the marvel of the open air and the winged creature. He gripped the reins and dug his heel into the horse thigh of the bird beast. Buckbeak made a deep, eagle-like screech and reared upwards before spreading his large wings and bounding off. Just before they reached the water, they took off. The three Gryffindors watched in vain as they flew farther and farther away.

"That lunatic! He left us! " Ron said, finally breaking their silence.

"Yeah, but at least Buckbeak is safe," said Harry.

"Yeah if no one finds out," remarked Hermione, crossing her arms. She had an uneasy feeling this defiant act would come back to haunt them. "Harry, did you notice?" asked Hermione, concerned about something else that had been gnawing at her mind. Harry turned towards her.

"Notice what?" he asked. Ron seemed to sense what she was going to say next, having grown up in the wizarding world unlike Harry.

"He … performed magic … without a wand," said Hermione uncomfortably.

"Yeah, so? Dobby can do that. I'm sure other people can," said Harry, not fully understanding.

"Yeah magical, non-human folk can ... but not people Harry," said Ron carefully.

"Why not?" he asked, confused. Ron and Hermione shared worrisome glances.

"To perform magic without a wand is beyond most wizards and witches. Unless controlled, magic can be raging, chaotic and volatile – that's why wizards use wands to channel it – and requires the utmost skill and discipline to control," Hermione explained. Harry thought for a moment.

"So, what are you suggesting?" he asked. Ron and Hermione paused.

"He's either a very powerful wizard or ... he's mad as hell," finished Ron,"my money's on the latter. I mean, don't get me wrong, him scaring Malfoy was brilliant, but why would Dumbledore hire someone like that?" he added.

"I dunno," Hermione said softly. "Did you get a look at the back of his jacket?" she also asked. Harry recalled the bright orange lettering.

"Yeah, what about it?" he asked.

"What do you suppose it means?" she inquired. Harry hadn't the slightest clue, but it reminded him of something he saw on the news or something from a TV show his cousin would mindlessly watch. It looked like something a prisoner would wear.

Loki soared on the horizon with the magnificent hippogriff. The feathers were soft but the body was strong. He imagined that this was how the Valkyries had flown on their winged horses, which seemed like a silly notion at the time. Given the far perspective from the flight, Loki could better see the tall spires of Hogwarts and the vastness of its structure. If the school was anything like Asgard, there was more to this edifice than met the eye. Its secrets begged to be discovered by the right person. Suddenly, Buckbeak decided to make his own decision and fly closer to the lake, letting a single claw splash against the water. This ride would have given Mobius' jet ski a run for its money. What if he just escaped on this great creature, freedom not so far from his grasp. Loki took back some control with the reins and landed the creature on the other side of the body of water away from the castle. With a wave of his hand, he removed the saddle and harness in green and gold dust. Buckbeak made a cooing, bird noise, and shook his mighty head. The Trickster snickered. He could see why those three had a soft spot for the beast. Then, a portal noise came from behind him.

"Having fun are we?" said a familiar yet disapproving voice from behind. Loki spun around, elated.

"Mobius!" he gasped. If Mobius' TVA attire was not a dead give away that he did not belong at the school, his voice surely was. Loki could hear his folksy accent and kind cadence anywhere, but The TVA agent had his arms crossed, and did not look pleased. The Trickster dropped his smile.

"What are you doing Loki?" he asked like a parent to a child.

"Well ... " he began but Buckbeak pushed him with his beak. Mobius closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his broken nose.

"Have you ever seen one of these? I think you might give up your precious jet skis after riding one," Loki joked.

"Loki! ... you are here for one reason and one reason only: to catch your variant," Mobius lectured with a finger firmly pointed at him. Loki sighed and watched Buckbeak prance around.

"Do you understand? Renslayer wants to pull you from the mission after your fiasco in the classroom," he said more sternly.

"That wasn't my!- " he began defensively, but stopped abruptly, "Hang on, how do you know about that?"

Mobius glared at him with zero expression and blinked a few times with a completely relaxed face, his arms still at his sides. "Really Loki? Really?" he said as a matter of fact, knowing fully well how reluctant Loki was at admitting fault or how formidable the TVA could be. The Trickster shook his head changing subject.

"Mobius, have you seen how big this place is?" he said, gesturing to the school grounds, "not to mention that it's not exactly your run of the mill castle." The agent exhaled deeply, remembering Dumbledore's office.

"Alright, alright, but no more distractions," said Mobius, his eyes wandering to the multi-faceted creature searching for a tasty morsel. "-and now you've stolen ... " he continued, gesturing to Buckbeak, not entirely sure what to make of the beast.

"A hippogriff ... oh come on! It's cool! And they were going to kill him anyway!" argued Loki.

"Loki!" said Mobius losing his patience, "anymore incidents like this and I have to take you back!" Loki's heart sank. Buckbeak came close enough to nudge him again.

"Alright, Mobius ... alright, I understand," said Loki. He stroked the beast's feathers again. Mobius let out a long breath gazing at the creature.

"He's impressive," Mobius had to admit, "but I think I would still prefer a jet ski."