Author's Note: So, not very happy with how the second half turned out, but I'm not going to agonize over it. I got to where I wanted to, and now I get to write a chapter everyone's eagerly been anticipating! Enjoy

Chapter 8: Meeting the In-laws

How long they stand there like that, Evelyn can't say. But eventually she does remember her cousin who only really knows her. So, rather reluctantly, she draws back and turns towards where Dudley, Fenrir, and Sleipnir are still standing. Dudley's managed to get himself off Fenrir, but he looks incredibly awkward standing between the wolf and the stallion who just tower over him.

"Dudley," she calls to him. He jumps, having been side eyeing Fenrir who's currently giving him a rather toothy wolfish smile. "Come over here." She holds out a hand and curls her fingers to beckon him over. He hesitantly takes a few steps, and she smiles encouragingly at him. "I promise they won't bite," she adds with another wiggle of her fingers.

"Much," Loki murmurs into her ear while wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing up against her back. She doesn't even have to look behind her to be able to whack him with the hand not reached out to Dudley. He grunts, but presses closer all the same. He just stays silent now to avoid any further abuse on her part.

When Dudley finally reaches them, Evelyn makes sure to give his hand a reassuring squeeze before letting it go. "Loki, Thor, I'd like to introduce you to my cousin Dudley Vernon Dursley. He remembers all the undone years as well. Dud, this is my husband Loki and our brother Thor."

"'llo," her cousin mumbles, eyes trained very firmly on the ground.

Thor, of course, is the one who does something as Loki has attached himself to her and shows no sign of letting go anytime soon. Not that Evelyn blames him for that. She doesn't really want him to. The God of Thunder crouches down so he can be eye to eye with Dudley before offering his hand. Her cousin peeks at Thor through his eye lashes, cheeks a bright red. "Welcome to Asgard, young Dudley," Thor says. "Any kin that my sister claims as her own is kin to me as well."

Evelyn leans back into Loki and laughs at the wide eyed look on Dudley's face at that pronouncement. "Thor, you're going to scare him away before we do anything else!"

That, of course, makes Dudley puff up indignantly. "I've dealt with your weirdness for years, Potter," he retorts. "This isn't going to scare me away."

She bares her teeth in a wicked smile that has him blanching. "Then shake Thor's hand, cousin."

He scowls back at her, but squares his shoulders and does just that. "It's nice to meet you, sir," he says. Evelyn has to give him some credit, as his voice doesn't shake too much.

"No need for this 'sir' business," Thor scolds gently, giving her cousin's hand a very firm shake. "There should be no formality between family."

Dudley eeps a little and edges just a bit closer to Evelyn's side once Thor lets go. "'kay."

Loki's throaty chuckle rumbling against her back has her smile going fond. It's been so long since they've had any reason to laugh. She's going to be cherishing it everytime it comes out for a while.

I like her, Father, Sleipnir suddenly announces, trotting over with Fenrir. She is quite nice.

She is better than Sigyn, Fenrir states firmly, pressing up against them.

"I'm glad you both approve," her husband says a touch wryly. He does reach out to run a hand through Fenrir's fur, so Evelyn scratches the wolf behind his ears as well. Fenrir rumbles approvingly, leaning into both touches. Then Loki sighs, the small puff of air tickling the side of her neck. "Thor, if you want to eat before you meet with Sif again, then I suggest returning to the palace now."

Evelyn perks up at the mention of the female warrior. "Does Sif remember as well?" She wouldn't put it past her weird luck, not after Thor remembering without her even being on Asgard at the time. Of course, she's never really truly met the woman, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want to know her regardless. She's actually eager to, after the stories Thor and Loki have told her of the woman warrior.

Loki scoffs. "No. She's just concerned because some imbecile blew up our wing of the palace two nights ago."

Evelyn blinks before glancing at a very sheepish looking Thor. "You did what?" she asks, completely and utterly flabbergasted. She can't remember any other time Thor lost control to such a degree, besides when they'd lost Jane.

"I thought I had just died and reacted badly to waking up," he shrugs almost helplessly. "Mjolnir couldn't bear the brunt of my powers such as they'd grown to be, so it broke again. This time it didn't contain itself quite as much." He does fix an exasperated look on Loki. "And how long do you intend to remind me of that, brother?"

While she can't see it, she knows Loki's smirking right back. "For however long I wish to."

"Then I suppose I shall have to endure until you've had your fill," Thor chuckles. "Do you intend to return to the palace with me?"

"We should," Evelyn murmurs, driving an elbow into Loki's side when he makes a noise of protest. "The longer you delay, the worse it'll be. We can't just hide away from everyone."

"Says who?" he mutters back, lips ghosting over her ear and causing her to shiver.

She lightly slaps the arm wrapped around her waist. "Lovely, I'd like to at least meet your mother." However much the idea of meeting her mother-in-law terrifies her, she does want to meet the woman that's so important to her husband. Narcissa and she had connected some, but the woman had mostly just been happy to be out from under Lucius' thumb. As Lady Black, Evelyn had given Narcissa her freedom back and subsequently financed all of the woman's world travels. They rarely saw each other after that.

Loki sighs again, pressing his forehead down onto her shoulder. "She will want to meet you as well," he begrudgingly agrees.

I will carry you and Father to the palace, Sleipnir declares, stepping forward and nudging Evelyn's shoulder that Loki doesn't have his forehead on. Let the little human and Thor ride the decorated horses.

"More riding?" Dudley gulps, looking decidedly uncomfortable with the idea. "Eve, I didn't take riding lessons like you. I'm going to fall off."

"Then I shall stay beside you to ensure Eystein does not try any mischief," Thor offers.

Evelyn breathes out a near silent sigh of relief. "That work for you, Dud?"

He shoots her a flat, unimpressed look. "What kind of choice do I really have?"

At this, Evelyn wiggles out of Loki's embrace so she can kneel down beside her cousin. "Dudley Vernon Dursley, look at me," she commands when it's clear he doesn't want to. She only continues when he finally meets her gaze. "I was prepared for this. I even had some idea of what might happen. You weren't prepared at all. If it becomes too much for you, tell me. I'll see to it that you're brought back to Earth and taken care of. I will stay with you for however long that may take. Thor and Loki might be my family, but you are too. That means I will worry and care for you just as much I will them. Do you understand?"

"I want to stay with you!" Dudley insists, "But Eve, it's a lot to take it all in the course of a few days." He laughs bitterly. "It took me eight bloody years to wrap my head around the fact that magic was real, and another six before I was even comfortable with it being used around me. You've got to give me time to adjust to bloody gods actually being real."

"I know," she says softly, reaching out to touch his cheek. "I know, and that's why I'm going to be constantly checking to make sure you're okay with whatever's happening. Because your health and happiness is just as important to me as theirs. So I'll ask again. Are you good with Thor riding beside you to make sure you won't fall off?"

He exhales noisily, dragging a hand down over his face. "Yeah, I'm good with that."

"Alright." She straightens back up, but then grins down at him. "Thor's not all that different from you, really. Big, bulky guy with a heart of gold and a great cuddler. I think you'll get along great."

"Yeah, but he's a prince," Dudley mutters under his breath, probably not really meant to be heard, so Evelyn lets it slide. Instead, she turns back to where Loki is waiting beside Sleipnir. Both Fenrir and Thor have disappeared, but Evelyn figures Thor went to get the horses.

"You know I'll follow if you leave," her husband murmurs, reaching out to thread their fingers together. He also leans down to rest his forehead against hers. "You'll not be rid of me that easily, not now."

"I know," she says, squeezing his hand gently, "but you understand that Dudley is just as important to me as you? Just in a different way?" She peers at him hesitantly.

Loki sighs. "Alskling, I have always known that for family, there is nothing you wouldn't do for them that is within your power to accomplish." His hand not in hers curls around the back of her neck, applying only the tiniest bit of pressure. "I might understand, but for now, I won't care for that particular tendency of yours if it takes you away from me for any period of time."

"Fair enough," she concedes. She really doesn't want to be away from him either, but if Dudley needs her, she'll do it.

The crunching of boots and hooves on loose gravel has Evelyn turning in the direction of the sound. Thor is coming back from wherever he disappeared to, leading two horses. One is a dark bay and the other a light dappled grey. Both have rather modest looking tack, for all that they're Thor and Loki's mounts. Then again, if the brothers are just riding around the palace and its grounds, they probably don't need any fancy looking tack. Maybe Sleipnir meant decorated as wearing any sort of tack?

"Oh, they're gorgeous," she whispers reverently regardless. They're nowhere near as powerful looking as Sleipnir, but for regular horses she can tell their breeding would probably make Draco drool, pureblood bastard that he is.

Sleipnir snorts, tossing his head almost indignantly. They are acceptable.

Evelyn can't help her giggle at that. "Oh, no horse I meet will ever be as magnificent as you, Sleipnir, but they are extraordinary in their own right." She wanders over, Loki trailing after her seeing as he refuses to let go of her hand. Going to the grey first, she lets the stallion inspect her before running a hand over his soft muzzle. "Hello handsome," she all but coos, scratching her way down his neck. "What's your name, lovely?"

"He is Eystein and he is Loki's," Thor says. "He and Helmar have born us faithfully into many a battle."

Evelyn hums under her breath, moving on to Helmar as Eystein begins demanding attention from Loki. Again she lets the stallion inspect her before loving on him. "Oh you're just as handsome," she murmurs, rubbing over the splash of white between Helmar's eyes. Then she sighs, taking a step back. "I'll stand here all day loving on your horses if I let myself," she says a bit wryly when Thor looks at her curiously. "We should probably get going."

Thor dips his head to her. "As you wish." He holds out Helmar's reins to her. "If you will stay with Helmar, I will assist seeing Dudley into Eystein's saddle while Loki holds him steady."

Evelyn smiles prettily at him. "Such a hardship," she teases, sinking a hand into Helmar's glossy mane. The stallion tosses his head, dancing briefly in place before she gently but firmly steadies him. "Steady now, none of that," she scolds lightly.

"You never did mention you had worked with horses before," Loki comments while Thor just lifts Dudley up off the ground and deposits him onto Eystein's back.

"And when, exactly, was I supposed to mention that while we were running for our lives?" she inquires with a sarcastic drawl. "I only know how to ride because Draco—" She falters, sucking in a startled gulp of air. "Because Draco considered it something a pureblood Lady ought to know." She's much more subdued when she finishes. Again she's reminded she no longer has to deal with the fallout over the fact that her heart chose another. For all that she cowardly, selfishly is glad of that, she wishes it wasn't at the cost of her friend. And Draco had become a true friend in those years together, even though she can't ever love him like he deserves anymore. She smiles weakly. "It gave me a sense of freedom that I desperately craved and previously could only get while flying."

"Then I am glad you learned," Loki murmurs, letting go of Eystein's bridle and pressing himself up against her side. She leans into him, fighting back the tears that threaten to fall. She's lived with the possibility of not seeing Draco again for eight years, but only now that it's set in stone does it seem to be truly hitting her. Loki, bless him, lets her have a moment to grieve. He knows about Draco, and given his history with Sigyn, hadn't been too irrationally upset with her being with someone else before him. It helps that Evelyn's pretty sure Draco's one of the few reasons she settled so well after the war. Between him and Teddy, they gave her something to live for. Teddy had needed a mother, so Evelyn couldn't go swanning off like she'd been thinking of at first. Then they'd run into Draco one day, and Evelyn had discovered someone just as lost and floundering as she felt. She and Draco had rediscovered themselves together. He'd taught her pureblood customs and she'd introduced him to the Muggle world. They'd both come out of it as better people.

"Thank you," she breathes.

"Always, alskling," he returns, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I can sense Mother is in her gardens. Do you want to see her now?"

Evelyn considers this. "How likely is it for Odin to join her?" she asks, because she knows herself. She probably will go off at Odin the instant she sees him, and that's not really the first impression she wants to give Loki's mother. Her only grievance with Frigga is that she never told Loki that he was adopted. She'd made sure Teddy knew, and that that little fact didn't mean she loved him any less. There will be time aplenty to explain that to the Queen of Asgard.

Loki's arm around her waist tightens minutely. "Very."

She heaves out a sigh. "Then let's go meet her." Before she loses all her Gryffindor confidence and courage. "Dudley, do you—?"

Her cousin cuts her off. "Thor offered to take me his room and get food for both of us." He gives her a strained smile from where he's perched on Eystein's back. "Don't think I'm quite up for meeting a Queen just yet."

She dips her head back. "If that's what you want, then okay." She turns a curious eye to Thor. "I thought you blew up your rooms, though?"

"We were given temporary ones while our wing is being reconstructed. They are just as safe as our usual ones, so do not fear for your cousin's safety," Thor assures her, taking Helmar's reins from her. "We shall rejoin you later." He swings up into his saddle with an agile grace one wouldn't expect with his bulk. "If you would, I suggest you leaving before us so Eystein is not tempted to attempt to race Sleipnir."

That startles a chuckle out of Evelyn. "Yeah, I don't think he'd win."

Of course not, the stallion scoffs.

"Milady," Loki intones, offering his hand.

She grins at him. "Milord." She lets him boost her back onto Sleipnir's back. Before she can offer him a hand in return, he gets himself up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist. "Oh, I like this," she says, twisting her fingers in Sleipnir's mane while leaning back against him.

Her husband presses his lips to her neck and she can feel them curving into a smirk. "As do I. Sleipnir, you remember the way to Mother's gardens?"

Sleipnir tosses his head. Of course. She sometimes lets me eat one of the apples that grow there.

Evelyn throws back her head and laughs. "That's a very good reason to remember." She pats him once on the neck. "Let's hope she'll let you have one today as well." Then she gives Thor and Dudley a smile filled with all the warmth and love she feels for them. "See you later!"

Sleipnir needs no prompting this time, starting off at a leisurely canter. When they're farther away from Thor and Dudley, he breaks into a ground-eating gallop that sees the distance between them and the palace rapidly disappearing. It's just as freeing as it was the first time.

Instead of going into the palace itself, Sleipnir circles around towards the back. Evelyn can see a multitude of different gardens stretched out beyond the shining palace of gold, ones she just knows would have Neville itching to dig his hands into. She shoves away the reminder of yet another friend lost to her. Sleipnir slows to trot through them, heading to the one surrounded by a gleaming fence. He comes to a stop at the gate, and Loki slides off. He quickly dusts himself off before turning back to her.

"Milady," he says again, offering her a hand.

She takes it, letting him help her down for all that she really doesn't need it. "You going to keep that up?" she inquires.

"Perhaps," he says casually, running a hand through her tangled curls. With a snap of his fingers, it combs itself out and twists into a simple braid. She pecks a kiss to his cheek in thanks. If she'd attempted that, her hair would've just been worse than when she started. Her magic has never really like to help when it comes to her hair. Both Remus and Sirius told her that that's been an ongoing problem in the Potter family for generations. Thankfully, Loki can tame her mane of hair, and he actually enjoys doing it.

"If I start blabbering on, please silence me," she begs.

Loki chuckles softly. "You'll be fine. Mother will adore you."

She frowns back at him. "Loki, I'm serious. You know me. When I'm nervous I—"

The closed gate they're standing by suddenly swings open silently without any visible prompting, startling Evelyn so much she yelps. Loki, the bloody bastard, just hums under his breath like that's normal.

"Mother knows we're here," he comments, "and apparently she's a bit impatient."

"Great," Evelyn grouses, wrapping her arms around herself. "Just bloody great."

Her husband cocks an eyebrow at her. "Where's that Gryffindor courage you're so proud of?"

"Back on Midgard," she mutters.

His lips spread into a disbelieving smile. "Are you scared about meeting my mother?"

"Lovely, I have only done the whole meet the in-laws thing once, and we rarely saw each other after that," she throws back at him. "I expect I'll be seeing a fair bit more of your mother than I did Narcissa, so I really don't want to screw this up."

He frames her face in his hands and kisses her slowly and deeply. She sinks into it, letting the familiar feeling ground her. "Because you make me happy," Loki says, his voice low and rough and sending shivers down her spine, "she will accept you. Because I love you, she will love you in turn. You have nothing to be afraid of."

"Okay," she breathes out against his lips. She dips her head down and breathes in deeply. "Okay," she repeats while taking a step back. She lifts her chin back up and squares her shoulders. "Let's go."

Loki smiles fondly, but doesn't say anything else. He just takes her hand and leads her into the garden while Sleipnir trails along behind them.

It's magnificent. When Evelyn stretches out her senses, she can feel all the love and care and devotion that have gone into it. The feeling settles some of her shaking nerves. Surely someone who inspired all of this can't be too bad.

They come to a clearing ringed with flowers of every color. In the middle there's a blanket laden with food spread out underneath an apple tree. Sitting demurely on the blanket is a woman dressed in fine silk and minimal golden armor.

"Mother," Loki says, letting go of Evelyn's hand to stride forward and wrap the woman up into a hug when she gets to her feet.

"Loki," Queen Frigga returns. Her voice is soft and soothing, but Evelyn can hear hidden behind it a core of steel. She's not one to be tested lightly. Not that Evelyn had expected anything different. "And who is this enchanting young woman you've brought with you?" There's a knowing, teasing look in her gaze when their eyes meet.

Evelyn gulps.

"Mother, this is Evelyn Rosalie Potter, my wife," Loki says, a note of pride in his voice that makes Evelyn smile despite herself. "Alskling, this is my mother Frigga."

When Frigga holds out a hand, Evelyn obediently steps forward to take it. A rush of protective magic envelopes her, making her shudder. "Well met, Evelyn Rosalie Potter, and welcome to Asgard," Frigga greets her, squeezing gently. "I have been looking forward to meeting you ever since Loki informed us of you."

She smiles back weakly. "I'm glad I can finally meet you as well."

"Come sit and eat," Frigga offers. "We may talk as we eat."

Evelyn nods jerkily, letting Loki lead her to a spot and practically collapsing down as she sits. "Deep breathes, alskling," he murmurs into her ear, his breath tickling down her throat.

Without thinking, she whacks him, immediately mortified at the sound of Frigga chuckling.

"I see you will have no troubles keeping my trickster in line," Frigga says, settling herself opposite the two of them.

"I had lots of practice before I met him," Evelyn states flatly, eyeing her husband as he builds a plate for her. She accepts the food from him before pointedly watching him until he gets his own. "My father and his friends were pranksters growing up, as were some of my friends that I met at school. Loki just had more time to perfect his skills than them." She piles some meat and cheese onto a slice of bread. It takes all her self-control to keep from moaning when she takes a bite. The food she'd snuck when she'd been stuck in Loki's prison cell have nothing on this. It tastes better than any other food she's eaten before for all it's simplicity. Even better than Kreacher's cooking, and he'd been fairly devoted to spoiling her. When she sees the knowing and amused look on Loki's face, she doesn't even hesitate to hit him again. "You could've warned me!"

He grins back. "But then I'd miss out on your reaction, and what a lovely reaction that was."

She scowls. "Rude."

"You have not had Asgardian food before?" Frigga inquires.

"Only prison food," Evelyn replies almost carelessly for all that she watches Frigga's reaction. "We didn't exactly stick around after getting out." The Queen of Asgard just nods, taking a bite of her own food. Evelyn turns her gaze back to her husband. "What, exactly, have you told her about what happened?"

"That the Realms were collapsing and I used Soul Magic to send you back," Loki says soberly. He reaches out to run his fingers over her cheek. "I didn't have it in me to say much more without you by my side."

"I do know that you are my granddaughter's Avatar and that my son fell afoul with the Mad Titan," Frigga adds on. "The Mad Titan will be discussed at a later time, but might you tell me how you came to possess all of Hela's treasures?"

"Of course," Evelyn agrees, clearing her throat. "The cloak has been passed down through my father's family for generations now. The stone I was gifted. The wand I won by chance." A strained smile spreads across her lips. "Because of them, and the fact that my blood had been used in a ritual, I was able to walk to my death and then walk away." She reaches out blindly towards Loki, who immediately takes her hand in his. "Hela informed later me that that was what actually sealed their alliance to me, my willingness to die for the sake of my friends."

Frigga makes a noise in the back of her throat. "My apologies. I didn't mean to distress you."

Evelyn shakes her head. "You couldn't have know. It's knowledge I've lived with for twenty two years now. I'm just used to most everyone already knowing." She laughs weakly. "I'm known as the Girl-Who-Lived and the Woman-Who-Conquered because of it."

Frigga frowns and Evelyn has to make herself not flinch for all that the woman hasn't lifted a single hand against her. "Yes, I do remember Hela and my sons mentioning something about a murderer who seeks you out." She turns sharp eyes onto Loki. "I assume you will be doing something about that, my son?"

"Of course," he retorts.

Frigga nods decisively. "Good. Your lady may stay here in Asgard while you do so should you desire it."

"Unfortunately, there's a prophecy that says otherwise," Evelyn interjects. "It's by my hand that he has to die." She shrugs. "I killed him before, once more shouldn't be too difficult." She bares her teeth in a vicious grin. "At least this time I know where all the pieces of his soul are hidden. Makes things a bit easier rather than meandering around the countryside without a clue of where to go."

"You'll not be doing that alone, alskling," Loki warns.

She scoffs. "As if I'd try to stop you."

"You are more warrior than my other daughter was," Frigga comments. "I can see that that is what my son truly needs by his side."

"I'm glad you think so," Evelyn returns blandly before looking pointedly at Loki. "I still haven't changed my mind about that, just so you know."

He huffs out a sigh, already knowing what she's talking about. "Alskling, you don't—"

"Get used to it," she primly informs him. "There's no reason not to start thinking about it, so you'd just best get used to the idea of having a daughter named Sigyn. Hela thinks it's a good idea as well."

He blinks at her, stupefied. "You talked to Hela?"

"Of course I talked to Hela about that. It's her mother I intend to honor. Why wouldn't I ask her if she was alright with that? I would've asked your mother as well, but—" She abruptly goes silent, wide eyes darting swiftly between her husband and his mother. Frigga raises an eyebrow, but otherwise doesn't comment on her sudden stop. Apparently she hasn't been informed of her untimely death yet, then, if that's all she does.

"You intend to name a daughter Sigyn?" she says instead.

Evelyn swallows around the lump in her throat. "I do." Sigyn Lillian, after her mother and Hela's. Just as she'd always intended to name a son either James Sirius or Sirius James. She'd already had a son named after Remus after all. Of course, life hadn't given her anymore children beyond Teddy. Hopefully this time she'll get them. She desperately hopes so.

Frigga smiles warmly. "It's a lovely idea."

"Thank you."

A silence that feels extremely awkward to Evelyn blankets them, everyone eating quietly. It's broken when Loki hisses in a sharp breath through his teeth, turning to glare in the direction they came in. His magic rubs against Evelyn's abrasively, setting her on edge. It's her turn to inhale sharply at the figure stepping out around the tree. She sets down her plate and gets to her feet so she can place herself firmly in front of Loki.

"Hello Odin," she stately flatly.