AN: This chapter is a little shorter than they have been, but it's just to show a little of what's happening at Hogwarts and mostly how Loki has trouble dealing with feelings and emotions since Loki isn't used to having people to worry over, or to care so much about others. Loki isn't handling the feelings very well, a warning there is a slight bit of violence towards the end, and Loki's villain side starts showing a bit.
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or Harry Potter.
Chapter 29: Loki vs. Rita Skeeter
November 26, 2013
"You say it screams every time you open it?" Loki asked, sounding amused as she took a sip of her hot chocolate, it was the day after the first task, and Loki, Ron, and Harry were in her chambers, sitting around the table, drinking hot chocolate and staring at the golden egg that sat in the middle of the table.
"It's really loud, too," Harry replied; he was glaring at the egg as if it had personally offended him. After the first task, when Loki was leading Harry up to the castle, Fred and George came up to them and asked Harry to go to Gryffindor Tower to celebrate; Loki gave Harry his egg back and allowed him to go; during this celebration, one of the other Gryffindors talked Harry into opening the egg, and they regretted it soon after when the egg started to scream
"I see," Loki replied, sipping her hot chocolate. Loki's heart went out to Harry; the poor kid was dealing with a lot right now, from worrying over Sirius to the tournament and even his classmates whispering about him; though the latter had gotten better since Harry faced the dragon, there were even less Support Cedric Diggory badges going around, so at least one thing seemed to be looking up for him.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to figure out the clue if I can't keep the damn thing open long enough to do anything," Harry said.
"Let me try," Loki said; she sat her mug down, stood, and picked up the egg. "Cover your ears." Harry and Ron covered their ears, and Loki opened the egg. She frowned as she heard singing, not screaming.
"Loki, please just close the egg," Harry shouted over the noise, his eyes tightly closed as if it was causing him pain. Loki closed the egg.
"I do not understand. I heard singing, not screaming." She narrowed her eyes in thought.
"We heard screaming," Ron said. Loki tilted her head, eyebrow raised; Harry knew that look meant she was deep in thought.
"That must be it," Loki snapped her fingers, sat the egg down, walked over to the bookcase, pulled out a book, then walked back over to the table and sat down. "I believe the reason I hear singing, and you hear screaming, is because it's singing in a different language, one you can not understand; now, the question is what language? I'm guessing it's from a creature that can speak like a human."
"There are creatures that can do that?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Loki replied, "but some, such as vampires and werewolves, you may not put in the same category as the others due to them originally being human; then there are house-elves, who, over the centuries, learned to adapt their master's language to service them better."
"Does that mean house-elves in non-English-speaking countries may not understand English?" Harry asked.
"Correct," Loki replied, "They would speak whatever language their masters do."
"Okay, so what other creatures can speak like humans?" Ron said.
"Well, it would all be humanoid-type creatures, such as giants and goblins. Though most goblins know all kinds of human languages, they still have their own-"
"Yeah, my brother Bill can speak it," Ron said, "He's a Cures-Breaker for Gringotts."
"Bill?" Loki asked, "The one with the long hair and earring? Curse-breaking is tricky work; your brother must be a gifted wizard. I wouldn't have guessed that just by looking at him."
Ron frowned at Loki, not knowing if she complimented his brother, insulted him, or both in one sentence.
"Is that all the creatures that have their own languages?" Harry asked.
"No, you also have pixies, fairies, hags, centaurs, trolls though they just mostly grunt, and of course." Loki turned her book around and showed Harry and Ron. "Merpeople, which I'm sure is who I heard signing from that egg."
"What did the song say?" Harry asked, taking the book from her and watching as merpeople swam around on the page; they were not the kind of mermaids Harry had grown up hearing about in muggle fairytales; they were ugly scally looking things, with what looked like seaweed for hair, and greenish color skin.
"Come seek us where our voices sound. We can not sing above the ground, an hour-long you'll have to look, to recover what we took, but past an hour, the prospect's black, too late, it's gone, it won't come back," Loki said.
"So, the merpeople took something from me, and I only have an hour to get it back," Harry asked. "What did they take, and how do I get it back?"
"The first question I do not know, and for your second question, you most likely have to swim in the Black Lake to find it. That's where the only merpeople around here live," Loki said.
"Then I hope what they took can't ruin in water?" Harry asked, running a hand through his hair, "It has to be something I'd be willing to go after, but the only thing I can think of is the invisibility cloak, but Sirius has that. Unless they took my Fireblot."
"Whatever it is, I doubt they took it yet. We'll worry about that later." Loki said, "The most important thing at the moment is finding a way for you to breathe underwater for an hour."
"What do you mean breath underwater for an hour?" Harry asked.
"The merpeople live at the bottom of the lake, where there is no oxygen, which is likely where they'll hide your belongings, and unless there is something on your father's side of the family he has yet to tell me. Last I checked, you are not part fish," Loki answered.
Harry groaned and laid his head down on the table, mumbling about stupid goblets and stupid people who put other people's names in them.
"Do not worry, sweetheart, the moment I find out who it was, I'm going to kill them for you," Loki said, which caused Ron to choke on the drink of hot chocolate he just took; Loki reached over and patted his back.
"No, killing," Harry said, raising his head. "You can hex them, jinx them, or even hit them, but no killing. Instead, we'll turn them over to the authorities; there has to be some law about forcing unwilling people into a dangerous tournament."
Loki frowned at Harry for a moment before a smile broke out on her face, "Of course, send them to Azkaban, let them spend the rest of their days getting the happiness sucked out of them while they dwell on what put them there, yes that's much better than death. I do love the way you think, Harry."
"That's not what I meant," Harry said, looking disturbed by the idea, but Loki wasn't listening; she had gone back over to her bookshelves, pulled out all kinds of magic books, then walked back to the table, sat down, opened the top book and started reading through it, she paused and looked up, then looked between Harry and Ron, like she just realized something.
"Where is Hermione?" Loki asked.
"We aren't sure; she left us after class saying there was something she had to do but wouldn't say what or where she was going," Harry said. "Though Ron and I figure she's at the library."
"She did the same yesterday, on the way back to Gryffindor Tower, after the first task, Hermione disappeared on us and wouldn't tell us where she went," Ron said.
Loki gave no reply to that as she turned back to her book and smiled slightly; it sounded like Hermione was meeting up with someone in secret and if she keeping it from her two best friends, then it was likely a romantic meeting or at least someone Hermione liked in that way.
Unfortunately, Harry only got two days of not having to endure people pointing and whispering about him because, on November 28, an article in the Daily Prophet had started it all over again, this time for a different reason.
Is Harry Potter really a Potter? By Rita Skeeter
Evidence has recently been brought to my attention that James Potter may not be the biological father of Harry Potter; I've spoken to a reliable source; Draco Malfoy, who has a connection to Harry Potter; his mother, Narcissa Malfoy, happens to be the cousin of Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, and one of two people who have guardianship of Harry, he admitted to Mrs. Malfoy that James Potter (who was Black's best friend) was not Harry's father, but she could not say who or give any more details. The question remains if not James Potter, then who? I also have been told that Harry's other guardian, Reigna Ikol, has been heard calling Harry her son. Why? Who is Reigna Ikol anyway? She appeared out of nowhere and was immediately given a teaching position at Hogwarts and then custody of one of the most famous people in the wizarding world. All that's known of her is she is Sirius Black's girlfriend, and they live together in the Black family home, along with Harry Potter, but they are not married. Is that the kind of guardian we want Harry Potter to have? What kind of role models are a teacher who is said to be a bully and an ex-criminal?
Loki scowled as she crumbled up the paper and tossed it over her shoulder. She looked over to the Gryffindor table to see Hermione showing Harry the article, Loki watched as the smile Harry did have on his face crumbled, making her want to hurt someone, preferably Rita Skeeter, but since she wasn't here, anyone would do, she wasn't picky.
"Tossing the Daily Prophet on the floor, that'll show Rita Skeeter." Snape's voice came from beside her. "What? You don't want to run off and take out the whole Ministry? "
"Shut up, Snape," Loki replied. She glanced at the Slytherin table, who were all passing around the paper, laughing and pointing over at Harry, who was now covering his face with his hands. It wasn't only the Slytherins looking at Harry either, most of the Great Hall was sneaking glances his way.
"Nice, come back," Snape said, a smirk on his face, which annoyed Loki further. She hated this man more than responsibly possible.
"Unless you want a fork penetrating your left lung, I would suggest you shut up," Loki said, watching as Harry left the Great Hall, Hermione and Ron following him. Loki will always be thankful her son has such good friends.
"A threat from you, how original," Snape mumbled; as he stood and walked out of the Great Hall; Loki sat there for a few minutes longer, watching as the students began to head to their classes, and as the last Slytherin left, it dawned on her, that her first class of the day, was fourth year Slytherin, Loki grinned as she stood, an idea on how she could give them, and mostly Malfoy a little punishment for helping Skeeter write that article in the Daily Prophet.
When Loki entered her classroom twenty minutes later, the Slytherins were already there, sitting at the desks and talking loudly; Loki slammed the door closed, making most of them jump, startled by the sudden loud bang.
"Shut up," Loki said as she walked to the front of the room; she turned around and glared out at the class, who for once had listened and gone silent. "Today, we'll do something different; instead of me standing up here giving a lecture, you will be sitting at your desk and writing me an essay on everything you've learned so far this year, due to be handed in at the end of class."
There was an instant uproar at this news, and Loki took pleasure in the Slytherin's anger.
"You are trying to get back at me over Rita Skeeter's article." Draco Malfoy said; Loki shrugged. Why deny the truth? The brats won't learn anything that way.
"What!" screeched Pansy Parkinsons. "You can't do that."
"Really? Am I not the teacher? Is it not my job to assign your schoolwork?" Loki asked, "I believe so, and this class is only an hour, so you better get started writing it."
The class started shouting out complaints as Loki turned to sit in her throne-like chair and crossed her legs; she made a book appear and ignored the students altogether and begin to read; after five minutes, she looked up, to see them glaring at her, and not doing their work.
"Of course, you are within your right to refuse to do the assignment, but that means you'll get a zero for the class and a weekend of detention," Loki said, turning a page in her book.
"I'm going to write my Father about this." Draco Malfoy said. "He's on the school governors. You'll be gone for good."
"Draco, sweetheart," Loki said in a condescending tone. "Tell ole Lu Lu, whatever you please, I am not afraid of the fool. I have more magic in my pinky than he does in his entire body."
"How dare-"
"Draco." Loki interrupted, "Sweetie, you must learn that no one is afraid of your father."
Her smirk grew as Malfoy's face turned red, and he looked down at the desk mumbling things under his breath; sure, it felt petty to pick on school children, and Loki usually wouldn't, but Loki wasn't in the best of moods lately, her plans had been working out great until Sirius decided to go chasing after those siblings, and Harry's name came out of the goblet then everything Loki has worked hard for since returning to the wizarding world seemed to be falling apart, and the only two people she gives a damn about might be in danger. And Loki had no idea how to fix it.
When their classes were over for the day, Harry and his friends took refuge in Loki's chambers, where they did their homework while Loki went through her magic books, trying to find a way Harry could breathe underwater.
"There is something I don't understand," Hermione said.
"Hermione Granger doesn't understand something?" Harry teased, though Loki noted he didn't smile when saying it or his voice didn't have the cheerfulness it usually does when Harry teases his friends.
"What confuses you?" Loki asked, before Hermione could reply to Harry's comment.
"How is Rita Skeeter interviewing students?" Hermione said, "She was only seen in Hogwarts twice, once when they checked the champion's wands and again during the first task. When did she have time to talk to Draco Malfoy, and why didn't anyone see them talking?"
"That's a good question," Loki said.
"And Professor McGonagall told me Dumbledore banned Skeeter from Hogwarts grounds unless she's here to report on the tournament." Hermione continued, "She's sneaking into Hogwarts somehow unnoticed, and I'm going to find out how."
And with that, Hermione turned back to her homework. If there was anyone who could figure out how Rita Skeeter was getting into the castle unnoticed, it was Hermione. However, Loki already guessed when Hermione brought it up Skeeter was an animagus and was getting in in the form of a small creature, but Loki decided to keep that to herself. Why spoil the child's fun of figuring it out? Besides it'll be good practice for her, in case Hermione ever has to investigate a bigger enemy at some point. Knowing everything you can about someone you're up against, gives you a good advantage over them.
As November turned to December and there was still no word from Sirius, Loki became agitated; she snapped at people for the littlest things, was quick to anger, and was easily annoyed. Sirius's absence has Loki turning a bit cold towards most people because she was worried and wanted nothing more than to be able to search for Sirius but was unable; Harry needed her here to protect him. Loki's heart broke a little more each time Harry asked about Sirius and she had to force a smile and tell him his father was fine and would be back soon. It hurt Loki because she felt as if she was lying to her son. Loki was starting to wonder if they were ever going to see Sirius again, he's been gone for four months, and the fact he hadn't burst through the castle doors in anger over Harry's name coming out of the goblet, told Loki something wasn't right. Thori hadn't returned, which told Loki her owl hadn't found Sirius yet. Why? Where was he? The fool better not have gotten himself killed.
Loki wasn't sleeping well at night; not only did the bed fill empty without Sirius to snuggle to, but at night was when Loki couldn't keep her thoughts and emotions at bay, she wasn't used to them, or caring so much about other people, wasn't used to worrying about others. Loki wished she had some outlet, something, or someone she could take it out on; if not, she felt she would lose it soon.
Loki wanted that outlet to be Rita Skeeter for the lies she kept telling about Harry in the paper. First, she had the article suggesting James wasn't Harry's father. Then accused him of being a spoiled brat, that has let fame go to his head, then accused Harry and Hermione of being a couple. A few days ago, she questioned Harry's ability to do magic since she didn't see him do much against the dragon. Recently she has been asking if Sirius was stable enough to take care of a teenager, suggesting he was crazy due to Azkaban and hinting he didn't care for Harry or is wellbeing because he wasn't present during the first task. Harry has been so miserable since her articles came out that Loki wanted to make Skeeter pay. Unfortunately for Rita Skeeter, Loki would get that chance.
December 3, 2013
"And that, students, is how an heir of Slytherin, a muggle, and a family feud founded IIvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Loki said as she made it to the front of the room, and turned around and grinned at her fourth-year Gryffindor class, who was staring back at her most with their mouths open.
"So, a muggle was once co-headmaster of a magic school?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, James Stewart and his wife Isolt Sayre founded Iivermonrny together. Stewart built the school, and their statues still stand at the castle's front doors."
"That story is even crazier than the founding of Durmstrang," Dean Thomas said just as the bell rang, singling the end of class; the students groaned in disappointment as they began to pack up their things and head to their next class. Most students loved Loki, but no more so than the Gryfindors.
Loki walked to the back of the room and sat at her desk; once she, Harry, Hermione, and Ron, were the only ones left, the trio walked over to Loki, who smiled up at them.
"Was there something you need?" Loki asked. Hermione nudged Harry in the ribs.
"Umm, Hermione thinks I should warn you about something," Harry said.
"Warn me?" Loki asked, her smile dropped.
"Hagrid agreed to go to the Three Broomsticks on Friday evening for an interview with Rita Skeeter; she claims she wants to write an article about the Blast Ended Skwets, but-"
"It's obvious she's planning to trick Hagrid into giving her more dirt on Harry to print in the paper," Hermione said.
"And Hagrid is known to let things slip when drunk, and he knows a little too much about you and Harry," Ron added.
Loki smiled, "Do not worry, children, I'll take care of it."
December 6, 2013
Loki stood in the full-length mirror admiring herself, she was wearing dark green leather trousers, a black top, and knee-high black boots, with her hair pulled back in a braid, not dressed for a battle, but it wasn't like Rita Skeeter was going to put up much of a fight. Loki reached over and picked up her green cloak and put it on. Then teleported out of her chambers right into an ally between the Three Broomsticks and Honeydukes; she leaned against the pub and crossed her arms, waiting for Rita Skeeter to pass on her way to her interview with Hagrid. Loki was going to make sure that interview never happened.
Loki stood there for over an hour before Rita Skeeter walked by, carrying her ugly green handbag in one hand and a notebook, along with her stupid quil in the other. The moment she passed by Loki, she grabbed a handful of Skeeter's blonde curls, causing her to drop her belongings as she yanked her into the ally and tossed her to the ground. Skeeter landed on her back with a moan and raised, looking scared as she pulled out her wand, and pointed it at Loki.
"What do you want?" Skeeter demanded. Loki didn't answer at first; she looked down at her foot and noticed Rita's quill lying next to it; she looked at Skeeter with a smirk and stepped on it, snapping it in half. "Hey, those quills are rare and expensive."
Again Loki didn't answer, as she slowly started walking toward Skeeter, who got more scared as Loki got closer.
"Stop! Don't come any closer." Skeeter said, her voice shaking, "I'll hex you. I mean it."
Skeeter fired a spell at Loki. She didn't know which one, as Skeeter did it non-veberally, it didn't matter anyway; whatever the spell was it just bounced off Loki's tough Jotunn skin, and Skeeter's eyes grew, and her hand shook while she stared up at Loki, who now stood over Skeeter, with her hands on her hips.
"Do you not realize who I am?" Loki demanded. Skeeter shook her head, blonde curls bouncing around widely; Loki squatted in front of her, snatched Skeeters's wand out of her hand tossed it over her shoulder, then grabbed a fist full of hair, and jerked her head back.
"I'll give you a clue. You've spent your recent time slandering my family in your paper."
"Reigna Ikol?" Skeeter demanded. Loki gave her a sadistic grin.
"Bingo," Loki said; she let go of Skeeter's hair, grabbed her by the front of her shirt, jerked her off the ground, and slammed her into the wall. Skeeter screamed as she looked up into Loki's rage-filled green eyes, which caused Loki to move her hand from her shirt to her neck and squeeze it.
"Shut up." Loki snapped as Skeeter pulled on Loki's arm, trying to get it off her neck; Loki leaned in closer until her lips were near Skeeters's ear. "My family has never done a thing to you, but yet, you still saw fit to spread tales about us in your paper. Do you know how miserable Harry has been since your articles came out?"
Loki loosened her hold on Skeeters's neck so she could answer and watched as Skeeter took a few deep breaths before speaking, though she did not answer Loki's question.
"You're crazy," Skeeter accused, "You can't just-"
Skeeter's words were cut off by Loki tightening her grip again, and Skeeter began to hit and punch Loki's arms; she even tried racking her nails across Loki's hand, but of course, Loki barely felt the pain, being used to much worse, thanks to Thanos. Loki lifted Skeeter in the air and held her against the building. Skeeter started kicking her legs and hitting Loki's arm harder, even pulling on it; her face turning red, Loki was perfectly content to stand here and watch the life leave Skeeter's eyes as she strangled her to death, but a voice in her head that sounded a little too much like Harry said, "No killing," and after a moment, Loki scoffed and let go of Skeeter, she dropped to the ground, landing on her bottom in front of Loki, coughing, and whizzing, as the air suddenly began to fill her legs.
"Damn it," Loki said, hitting the building. She couldn't do it, Loki couldn't do what she came to Hogsmeade to do, and that was to kill Rita Skeeter for the pain her articles caused Harry; Loki couldn't do it because Harry would be disappointed in her, and they've grown close over the past few months, Loki didn't want to lose that. She didn't want to lose her son, Harry, and Sirius was all Loki had. Her true family.
Loki took a few calming breaths before squatting down in front of Skeeter and grabbed her hair, then jerked her head back, making her look up at Loki who noticed Skeeter's neck was now black and blue. Loki laid her other hand across Skeeter's throat and healed her, not because she felt bad for hurting her, but to get rid of the evidence that Loki attacked her.
"Do you want to live?" Loki asked.
"Yes," Skeeter whispered.
"Then you must do as I say," Loki said; Skeeter nodded, "First, your interview with Hagrid has been canceled; second, nothing happened here, you have not been attacked, and we have never met, you understand?"
"Yes," Skeeter said.
"Good," Loki said, reaching her other hand up, grabbing Skeeter by the jaws, and pulled her closer. "You will not talk to anyone about Harry Potter, Sirius Black, or myself if our names appear under an article written by Rita Skeeter again. The next time your name appears in the Daily Prophet, it'll be in an obituary. Do you understand me?" Loki demanded.
"Yes, yes." Skeeter sobbed, and Loki let go of her face with a shove and stood.
"You have Harry Potter to thank for saving your life today," Loki said, and without another word, she turned and walked out of the ally; Loki wasn't done with Rita Skeeter; she still needed to pay for what she did. Loki just had to do it another way, maybe she'll team up with Hermione, and together they'll take Skeeter down, the legal way or at least one that won't land them in prison or Harry upset with Loki.
AN I just had to use Rita Skeeter as a target for Loki's anger, because she never actually gets punished for all the lies she spreads about people in the Daily Prophet, but at least Loki was able to stop before going too far, I just figured at this time Loki isn't used to caring that much about people, and wouldn't know how to deal or handle the emotions from it, Loki never has worried about anyone before and doesn't like these new feelings.
I the very brief information about IIvermorny I got from the Wizarding World Website, if anyone is interesting and has heard the story of how the school I suggest reading it, it's a crazy story.
Rita Skeeter didn't recognize Loki at first because she's only seen her from far away or as a bug, and Loki has always had her witch hat on, and her hair hanging down.